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Volume 19, Number 32 “By Islanders, For Islanders” August 9th, 2019

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“Troubled Waters”Calusa Waterkeeper Film

on Algae Health RisksBy Gary [email protected]

So far this summer, the waterways of Southwest Florida have escaped the twin Blue-Green Algae and Red Tide menaces that plagued our region last year but they are imperiling other portions of the nation and world right now. You would not know our area is currently avoiding a water quality crisis, however, judging by the sold out, passionate, standing-room-only crowd at the Calusa Waterkeeper’s 2nd “Florida Water Summit” that debuted the documentary, “Troubled Waters,” at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater on Monday, August 5. “We are humbled by the turnout tonight,” said Calusa Waterkeeper Executive Director K. C. Schulberg in his introduction, “and you will have a tough time staying in your seats when you hear our expert panel following ‘Troubled Waters!’ Calusa Waterkeeper began hosting these Town Halls here at

the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater just about a year ago, with our first on August 6 of last year, and while we have accomplished much since then, we still have a lot to do.” Calusa Waterkeeper produced “Troubled Waters” under the direction of Schulberg, who has extensive expertise in the entertainment industry, having worked on more than 200 films, television movies and miniseries, in functions ranging from producer, production supervisor, line producer, unit management, location manager, marketing development, screenwriting and more, as well as spending a vast majority of his life in social and grass roots activism. The 40-minute original film features expert scientists and doctors who explore the human health impacts of cyanotoxins and BMAA (a cyanobacterial neurotoxin) in South Florida. The health and scientific professionals include Dr. Walter Bradley, Dr. Larry Brand, Dr. David Davis, Dr. James Metcalf, Dr. Malcolm Cont’d pg.12

Commissioner Sandelli Sworn InNew District Three Representative

By Gary [email protected]

Raymond Sandelli of Bonita Springs was sworn in as the new District 3 Lee County Commissioner on Tuesday morning, August 6, in the Lee County Courthouse Commissioner’s Chambers before roughly 150 fellow government officials, citizens and guests. Sandelli will fill the roughly 15 months remaining in the term of the late Larry Kiker, who passed away in April. Commissioner Kiker was a former Fort Myers Beach Mayor and Council member prior to his service to Lee County. After his swearing-in, Commissioner Sandelli made a brief statement: “I am happy to be here and a little surprised! My only goal is the best interest of our community and it is as simple as that. Thank you to my family and to Governor DeSantis for the appointment.” Florida Governor

Ron DeSantis named Sandelli to the vacant seat on Friday, August 2. Lee County District 3 includes Fort Myers Beach, San Carlos Island and South Fort Myers. Following his comment, Lee County Commissioners began their meeting. Their first action, in a strictly procedural manner, was to unanimously pass their 32-item Consent Agenda, causing Commissioner John Manning to quip to Sandelli, “Congratulations, Commissioner – you just made your first vote!” Lee County Commissioner Acting Chair Brian Hamman quickly added, “You did great – you just passed 32 items in one vote!”

BOARD CHAIRMANSHIP

Near the end of the meeting, under “Commissioner Items,” Commissioner Frank Mann pointed out that “Commissioner Hamman has been

New District 3 Lee County Commissioner Raymond Sandelli (R), just before his swearing-in, with fellow Commissioner John Manning.

Cont’d pg.4

Council Summer Break OverGlyphosate Ban & Elections


“Welcome to the best show on Fort Myers Beach,” exclaimed Vice Mayor Ray Murphy in opening the Town Council Meeting before roughly 50 people on Monday morning, August 5, for its first session since early June. Murphy chaired the forum in place of Mayor

Anita Cereceda, who was on an excused absence. Council covered a broad spectrum of topics over more than 3-1/2 hours, including several public presentations.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Council debated four Public Hearings: As they prepared to discuss Cont’d pg.8

Tom Myers displays his Mulholland Stewardship Award, with Town Council in the background.

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Times Square Street PerformersQuinn, Sparkles Extoll FMB Virtues


Over the past year, Town Council has worked to revise the Ordinance governing Times Square Street Performers, at one point even considering suspending their shows while updating the legislation. While Council tweaks the Ordinance for its Second Reading & Final Hearing at its upcoming August 19 Meeting, two of the roughly dozen licensed Times Square Street Performers – one a long-time participant; the other relatively new – reflect on what Fort Myers Beach and Times Square means to them.

SKELETON PIRATE

Mike Quinn is one of the longest-tenured Times Square Street Performers, enchanting locals and visitors for over a decade in a double-edge manner. “I began as the living statue Skeleton Pirate, making up that character with Fort Myers Beach lore! But I am getting older now, so it is tougher to dress up into that character and costume, especially in summer when it is over 90 degrees with high humidity, so I now also do handmade sculptures of seahorses, shells, shark’s teeth and pirate skulls – again, all things that relate to the Fort Myers Beach area that tourists in particular really like, enjoy, and take home as remembrances of their wonderful time here. While I may be a performance artist, I like to think that I am really in ‘The Memory Business!’” Of the 12 to 15 regular Times Square Street Performers, Mike and two others are the only ones who sell their products, such as custom-made surfboards. “It was probably we three who got Council to discuss amending the Times Square Street Performer Ordinance last year, out of concern that we charge specific prices, while the rest of the entertainers only accept donations. Mayor Anita Cereceda, who owns two shops in Times Square, is working with us, and I feel she understands we are not in competition with but compliment Times Square merchants, so it is a relief to read in the newest

draft Ordinance that the three of us can continue to provide our own unique form of entertainment to the beach community.” Mike is happy that Council removed from the current Ordinance draft a stipulation that would limit Times Square Licenses to just eight Street Performers. “A big misconception Council originally had is that there are 10 of us out here at all times, but in my decade here, out of the 12 to 15 regulars, I have never seen more than 5 at any one time. If the limit is 8, however, 4 to 7 Street Performers who provide a valuable entertainment function to beach visitors for years could no longer entertain here.” In addition to the annual $150 Street

Performer License Fee, entertainers must provide the Town with Liability Insurance and pass a background check. “The fee is higher than in most communities with Street Performers, and many don’t require background checks,” Mike explained, “but I am happy Fort Myers Beach does, to keep the goofballs out of Times Square, especially in this day and age, so that is not only a good thing, but a precaution we Street Performers favor.” What Mike found most gratifying about the year-long Ordinance process actually occurred very early, when Council floated its Times Square Street Performer moratorium. “I posted an on-line petition and

Brittany Sparkles entertains a Time Square crowd. Photo by John Blair.

Cont’d pg.11


Beach Botanyby Jim Rodwell

YELLOW ALDER The Yellow Alder, Turner ulmi-folia, is a multi- stemmed perennial shrub that varies between 2’ and 3” in height. Herbaceous stems grow from a tap root. As the herbaceous stems grow they lignify into wood. Dark green leaves are alternate on the stems. Leaves are simple. Shape is ovate and margins deeply toothed. Venation pinnate. Length 2 ” to 6” long. A calyx with 5 fused sepals support a corolla with 5 overlapping yellow petals. At the center of the corolla is a pistil which indicates that ovaries are superior. Five reddish stamens surround the pistil. Bloom diameter 1” to 2”. Flowers bloom in leaf axils with no order. Inflorescence is solitary. Fruit is a capsule. Blooming occurs year around. Habitats are disturbed sites in a few Atlantic, Gulf and Southern counties. Family name is Turnerace-ae, (Turnera) Family. Ulmifolia is re-garded as regarded as not native to Florida. It is native to the Caribbean. This could be arguable as the species was first found in Key West in 1986, and it does grow in Florida in the Ev-erglades. There is no significant re-search on this species.

Commissioner Sandelli Sworn InNew District Three Representative, Cont’d from pg.1

our Acting Board Chair since the passing of Commissioner Kiker. Over the past 7 or 8 years, we rotate the Chairmanship based

on the District numbers, so we are in an unusual situation, as technically our new Commissioner should be Chair. Commissioner

Hamman, your Chairmanship was been nothing short of exemplary, as evidenced by today where we have had nothing but 5 to 0 votes,

Commissioner Raymond Sandelli speaks with the press following his first Board Meeting. PHOTOS BY GARY MOONEY.


Commissioner Sandelli Sworn InNew District Three Representative, Cont’d from pg.4

and that is a tremendous tribute to your leadership and a sign of continued happy days ahead, so this has nothing to do with you, but technically, in the remaining 3 months and 6 meetings of our County year, the District 3 Commissioner is entitled to be Chair, as new Commissioners have done in the past, to stick their bare feet right into the fire! Since there is so little time left in the District 3 Chairmanship, if you prefer not to, Commissioner Sandelli, I have no problem with this magnificent young gentleman continuing as the Chair, but we need something on the record.” “I am smart enough to know what I don’t know,” said Commissioner Sandelli with a smile! “It seems as though Chair Hamman is doing a terrific job, from what I see here and listen to, so I would like to continue with this.” Commissioner Mann made the motion to allow Commissioner Hamman to remain Chair that unanimously passed.

BLUE ANGEL

Sandelli completed eight years of military service as a Naval Officer and Aviator, receiving his wings in January 1971. While deployed aboard the USS Independence, he completed two cruises to the Mediterranean Sea. He participated in the Sixth Fleet operations during the October 1973 Middle East War and 1974 Cyprus conflict, before reporting to the VT-

66 Naval Air Station in Pensacola in March 1975 as an Advanced Training Command Instructor for Naval Flight Officers. Sandelli’s final tour was as a member of the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels. Commissioner Sandelli is a Managing Partner at CRE Consultants for the past five years, where he advises clients on healthcare, office, retail, industrial, land and property management, after having spent the previous 28 years with CBRE, Inc., of Seattle. In 1995, he became senior managing director of the CBRE Tampa office and in 2000 assumed responsibility of its Florida region. In 2007, he began managing statewide oversight of lender and servicer representation for the reposition of all property types through CBRE’s Recovery & Restructuring Services program.

THIS IS YOUR PURPOSE!

After the meeting, in speaking to the press, Commissioner Sandelli acknowledged that he did not seek the position from Governor DeSantis, while 14 others did. “My understanding is Governor DeSantis offered the spot to State Representative Dane Eagle, who declined, but he suggested my name, and the Governor offered me the job last Friday. I am not from the world of politics so I don’t know how these relationships work. I have been approached to enter politics in the past, but in being

married and raising three children, the timing was never right until now. Public service is important to me, however, as evidenced by my military career. When I called my son about the offer, he said, ‘This is your purpose!’” Asked whether he considered the Board Chairmanship when Commissioner Mann brought it up, he replied, “Brian has done a great job and it would be a disservice to our citizens to take the reins after one day.” When asked if he will run for the District 3 Commissioner position in 2020, he said, “Right now I take the approach of one day at a time before making a decision.” Commissioner Sandelli said he brings no immediate agenda to the job. “I just returned from vacation over the weekend, so yesterday was my first day to begin to study the position, so I am not ready to declare what I am prepared to do and not do. On top of that, we lost our power, so I was handwriting my notes by candlelight; it made me feel a bit like Abraham Lincoln! I am not a coffee drinker, but I became one last night! My only priority right now is to do the absolute best that I can for the citizens of Lee County, and we will see what happens after that.”

BRIDGE & BEACH

In other matters on their agenda that pertained to Fort Myers Beach, Lee County Commissioners unanimously approved a change order to the future Big Carlos

Pass Bridge replacement that they have been exploring since 2016. The change order allows Lee County staff to advance the high fixed span option that Lee County Commissioners approved in December 2018 from the 30% to the 60% design stage. Once this project is complete, Lee County will host public meetings in early 2020 for residents to review the update. The design phase will not go past the 60% level until the Florida Department of Transportation has approved the Project Development and Environment Study, anticipated in early 2020. Following that, the design will proceed to the 100% stage, with work on the new bridge estimated to begin in 2021. Chair Hamman pointed out, “This change order is the planned next step and within the budget of the project. This is not an extra added cost but in the plan for it that we rolled out.” Tamara Pigott, Executive Director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), asked Lee County Commissioners to approve a $136,817.50 transfer from the 5% Tourist Development Tax, better known as the Bed Tax, to reimburse the Town of Fort Myers Beach for cleanup efforts from a Red Drift Algae accumulation on the beach from late April to early May of this year that received unanimous approval. Chair Hamman explained, “This was quite unpleasant, with a horrible smell, so that cleanup was necessary.”



The Fort Myers Beach Public Library Artist of The Month for August & September is Paulette Boudreau. “I have been a Southwest Floridian since my family moved to Sanibel when I was ten years old, remaining until I graduated high school,” she recalled. “I moved to Sarasota to attend the Ringling College of Art & Design, majoring and graduating in Graphic Design. I returned here for a few years as Art Director of Lee Living that is unfortunately no longer around. When I was close to turning 30, I left the area, as most people should do at some point in their lives, relocating to California where I spent roughly 20 years in Graphics Design in the Newport Beach region, before that part of my life ended, so I returned to Fort Myers about five years ago.”Paulette however did not go back to Graphic Design. “I concluded my move back was the perfect

opportunity to pursue my own artwork so I did that and art became a kind of therapy, as art is in a way therapy, and it morphed from there! Next thing you knew, my artwork went on-line and that is an awesome resource to get your art out into the world for everyone to see, so I decided to do it fulltime. I have an appreciation of the business end of art, from my corporate world years of Graphic Design, but it is one thing to collect a paycheck from someone else and quite another to do it yourself. I am still learning the business end of selling my own art

and how to produce art that sells.”

THE SYNERGY OF WATER

Paulette specializes in watercolor and her paintings are always optimistic. “Watercolor so appeals to me and makes me happy because I always lived on or near the water my entire life, from here to Sarasota to Newport Beach and back. I love the synergy you get from being close to water. After all, what are we as people but bodies of water! Painting in watercolor is just the opposite of painting in acrylics, so I am still learning how to, in a sense, control the uncontrollable, and to me that makes watercolor a happy medium! The hard part about understanding how to work with watercolor is that inherently you want to control it, but you must learn to just let it go, and that is the therapy of watercolor – to just let things go, to do its own thing, and thankfully that allows me to produce some good stuff that I like, so I keep doing more!” Her artworks are very bright. “I use watercolors in a more saturated format than most watercolor artists. I am definitely a studio artist and not a plein air proponent. My specialties are tropical landscapes because I live in a tropical environment full of neat things to draw, like manatees and sea turtles. This past year was the first where I seriously participated in art shows and received a really good response to my subject matters, so I feel now that I am good-to-go and will stick with that as my priority theme, as it seems to make other people as happy as I am. My artwork lets me say what I want to say, in the format I want to say it! Occasionally, I imprint words into my art, like ‘Give Love,’ as I get that from my Graphic Design background, as I love fonts and words. This allows me to try new and different things, as I incorporate those using rubber stamps.”

“GOD IS IN EVERYTHING”

The Library learned about Paulette through three outlets. “They saw me at the Fort Myers Beach Art Association’s Outside Show last January, as well as through my presence on-line and Facebook. I also illustrated a Children’s Book entitled “God Is In Everything” that my best friend wrote, that they want me to read at a future Library Kids Program. Being the Artist of the Month is a huge honor for me, as up to now I have only done art shows where you set up your tent to sell your artwork, so this is a wonderful opportunity for me. To be honest, I am really scared but it is a good scared! Because library visitation slows down in the summer, my show will remain on display for August and September.”Paulette’s Library exhibit features between 40 to 50 pieces, and much is brand-new! “Many of my original ones are pretty small – like 4 by 12 inches up to 16 by 20 – so those will not work in the 3rd Floor Exhibit Area. That led me to create new ones, like flamingos and big manatees with fish. Another aspect that makes my work unique is I mount my watercolors in candlewood frames. Before doing this, setting up my watercolor shows was a bit of a disaster, if I were not careful in how I handled them, as I suffered a lot of breakage, as well

Art As A Part of MeLibrary Artist Paulette Boudreau

“Be Love, Give Love” by Paulette Boudreau.


as learning that ‘humidity + watercolor = disaster,’ so the candlewood frames solved those issues, and the people who purchase them do not have to worry about frames – when you buy one, you are ready to go!” Paulette’s artwork is available online at Artistic Souls Gallery or at boudreau-art.com “Artistic Souls Gallery is a group of ten artists who sponsor online shows twice-a-month, with the next one August 18 & 19, with prices starting at $75. I joined 18 months ago and it has been a great experience for me, not only in selling my art but learning from the other professional artists, as my Graphic Design background did not prepare me for the website world and social media.”

HAPPY, NOT SAPPY

“Art is so much a part of me,” she said, “and it has made me Paulette and brought me into my own, with self-esteem and a huge positive change in my life. I no longer doubt the decisions I make, so art means I can be myself. That is why you will not see anything dark in my artwork, with everything bright and happy. I am not a sappy person but a happy one, and those who buy my art seem happy, too, and that is awesome!” The Library has already hosted a “Meet the Artist” session on August 2, but may schedule another one in the second month of her display. “We are discussing something else for the month of September,” she related, “perhaps a closing function near the end of the display, so look for the Library’s Events Calendar for information. I will have a book with the display, for a description of each piece, and the Library will place several of my smaller works in a First Floor display case.” To view Paulette’s exhibit, visit the FMB Library’s 3rd Floor Gallery through Saturday, September 28. The Library is at 2755 Estero Boulevard, with hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and closed Sundays and holidays, including Labor Day on Monday, September 2. For information, see www.fmb.lib.fl.us or call 239-765-8162.

Art As A Part of MeLibrary Artist Paulette Boudreau, Continued from pg.6

“Night Fun” by Paulette BoudreaFlamingo watercolor by Paulette Boudreau.


the First Reading & Public Hearing for the “Prohibition of Glyphosate Ordinance,” Town Attorney John Herin, Jr., stated, “This past Friday, the Town received communication from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services with the belief that State Law preempts this Ordinance as currently drafted, particularly the provision that talks about the regulating and sale of Glyphosate and products containing Glyphosate, so we do not have the authority to adopt it as currently written.” “I wish our Home Rule was not superseded in these matters,” said Council member Joanne Shamp. “We live on a barrier island and this is critical to our water quality. It is stunning and we need as a Council and community to complain to those above us. It looks as though our hands are tied, as I would pass this in a minute! Is there anything we can do?” “This is an area the State has preempted for some time,” replied Herin. “Personally and professionally I am a strong proponent of Home Rule but my experience is it is very rarely successful. Glyphosate is not a pesticide but a weed killer, so if we remove all references in the Ordinance to pesticides, we would not run afoul of the State statute.” “Then that is what I would like to do,” responded Shamp. Council unanimously moved the amended Ordinance for its Second Reading & Final Hearing to its September 9 Meeting, to give Herin time to receive the State’s opinion on the revised document. Other Florida municipalities that have glyphosate bans, such as Key West, Miami Beach and Satellite Beach have banned the

use of the chemical on city-owned property. Under the First Reading & Public Hearing for the “Mound House Rezoning Ordinance,” contract Community Development Director Jason Green said, “The objective is to bring the Schedule of Uses up to what the Mound House regularly does. It must obey its day-to-day functions as outlined in its Operations Manual.” Town Manager Roger Hernstadt noted that a major change would be the hours of operation, from 8 a.m. to a half hour past sunset to sunrise to 9 p.m., “in accordance with how people utilize the Mound House property. Any uses outside those hours would require Council approval.” “I am very close to the neighbors,” said Mound House Director Alison Giesen. “They all have my contact information so we do not disturb the integrity and stay within the limits of our neighborhood.” “I received three letters on this,” Shamp told Giesen, “and all are in support, so that goes to your credit for the management of the property.” In the following Public Comment, four people spoke, all in favor of the rezoning. Council unanimously moved the “Mound House Rezoning Ordinance” for a Final Hearing at its August 19 Meeting. Under the Final Public Hearing of the “Street Performer Ordinance,” Council pointed out that Mayor Cereceda brought forward this topic, serving as the point person, so they deferred any final action until she will be present at the August 19 meeting. Since Council opened the Hearing, however, they took Public Comment from three Times Square Street

Performers: Noah Prechtel, Michael Quinn and Brittany Sparkles. This led to the clarification that the draft Ordinance no longer limits Times Square permits to just eight performer licenses. An article on Times Square Street Performers appears separately in this edition of The Island Sand Paper.

TWO VOTES OR ONE?

Under the Final Public Hearing on “Town Election Dates & Terms,” Council reviewed the proposed Ordinance to shift Town elections from March to November, to coincide with National & State elections, resulting in a cost savings to the Town, as it will no longer solely finance March elections through the Lee County Supervisor of Elections, as well as possibly increasing voter turnout. A second component increases Fort Myers Beach Council terms from three to four years. As currently written, both would appear as one proposed Amendment to the Town Charter on the March 2020 ballot. Council member Rexann Hosafros said, “These must be one question, because if they are separate and our citizens vote one up and one down, that will lead to chaos,” with Council member Bruce Butcher in initial agreement. Shamp however stated that, “I think they should be separate votes. I am not in favor of either, but our people need to decide these, as that is what I am all about. I think these are very separate issues in the minds of the voters, so lumping them together is not the way to go; we will do better in splitting them.” Butcher wanted to confirm that Council can move the election date

on its own but voters must approve Council terms changes, with Herin replying that is correct. Shamp said, “The real question is, does the community like the active campaign season of March, when a lot of people are here and non-voting, tax-paying property owners can participate? Any money we spend on March elections is a fraction of what we spend on the Fourth of July Fireworks.” Hosafros countered, “More than 50% of people now vote by mail – go to any election campaign event and you only see the same 20 people over and again.” Murphy stated, “I see the arguments on both sides.” Hosafros added, “If changing the terms issue fails, I would not be in favor of changing the election date, as it does not make sense to change the election date unless you change the terms.” “It looks like we heading to a 2 to 2 vote,” commented Shamp, with Butcher quickly interjecting, “not necessarily!” “Interesting!” said Shamp. Council took a brief break to allow Herin to revise the Ordinance, splitting the two issues into separate public votes that passed 3 to 1 in a Roll Call Vote, with Hosafros Against.

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA

Council decided five Administrative Agenda items: It unanimously approved the Audit Committee’s recommendation to authorize the Town Manager to execute an agreement with Mauldin & Jenkins for the Town’s next Audit contract. Council unanimously approved the Adoption of a Water Rates Resolution Cont’d pg.10

Council Summer Break OverGlyphosate Ban & Elections, Cont’d from pg.1


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Editorial LettersGREAT KIDS

How great it is to read something positive about children doing good deeds. (“Shamp Family Saves Statue” Island Sand Paper August 2, 2019) Tyler and Logan are examples of that. Parents and grandparents should be very proud of the boys. Keep up the good deeds!! And shame on those who vandalized the turtle at the Library.

Marge GoldenFort Myers Beach

BINGO BENEFITS THE ARTS

I would like to graciously thank the Nauti Parrot Dock Bar for ben-efitting the Fort Myers Beach Art Association and Gallery through their Drag Queen Bingo nights in July. The Bingo nights at the Nauti Parrot Dock Bar in Fort Myers Beach support different local nonprofits each month. The $2100 donation will help us continue our mission to showcase fine art on the island, provide art classes and to award scholarships for local students pursuing an arts education after high school.

Tom FlahertyPresident - Fort Myers Beach Art Association and Gallerywww.Fortmyersbeachart.com

Alyssa Lemay (left) presents a $2100 check to Tom Flaherty, FMBAA President (center) beside Mary Geib (right).

SUMMER OF CLEAR WATER

Our water is clear! What that means to our local businesses cannot be overstated. After the financial hit of last summer, which followed several years of hit and miss water quality thanks to Lake Okeechobee water releases, local businesses are understandably skeptical. We’ve been here before. We know that our water and our businesses flourish or suffer at the whims of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and their decisions to open those gates that release Lake O water to the Caloosahatchee River, water that often fouls our bay and Gulf. For years we’ve discussed the damage that the flush of pollu-tion-filled water does to our estuaries and our economy. We’ve been told repeatedly that there is nothing that can be done. The Army Corps and SFWMD are duty bound to follow the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Re-lease Schedule (LORS). LORS, we were told repeatedly, was designed to protect the communities around the lake from a possible dike breach if the water got too high. LORS didn’t much care about the health or economy of the estuary and the people who lived on the coasts. And then in 2018, the damage from those releases, combined with blooms of Blue Green Algae on the lake and river, plus Red Tide in the Gulf of Mexico, was so terrible that the cry for help on the coasts reached critical political mass and was heard. The decision makers started paying attention. Suddenly they found flexibility in LORS. This summer, they handled the level of Lake O differently. They drew it down before the summer rainy season, so the lake had space to hold runoff from heavy rain events and the massive releases were not necessary. Eureka! As a result, our coastal water has remained clear. Our fish are coming back. Our businesses are recovering. Visitors can now plan on clear water during their summer visit. This new management of the lake was deemed temporary. Don’t get used to it, they said. It was just for this summer to allow the lakebed grasses to recover. Then something amazing happened. The Corps blinked. The world tilted. This week, the Army Corps announced plans to change the way it handles Lake O releases to protect coastal communities from Harm-ful Algae Blooms and their health threats. These changes will allow the corps to release more water when there are no algae blooms and less when there are. They’ll be able to manage the lake in future summers the way they’ve done it this summer. How’s it feel to win a round? None of us will be convinced entirely until we’ve lived through several consecutive summers of clear water, but this marks a major turning point. It doesn’t solve all of our water problems, but it’s a start. Our elected officials still need to know how important clean water is to our health and economy. We need to comment on the Army Corps “deviation” before August 21 so they know we support this change. Email [email protected] and say you support the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact on proposed LORS changes.

Missy LayfieldEditor


to alert residents through their upcoming utility bill of a potential 7% water rate adjustment recommended by Raftelis Financial Consultants to fund ongoing water improvements along Estero Boulevard and adjacent sidestreets, with its possible acceptance at the September 23 Town Budget Hearing. Butcher noted that the Raftelis plan in now roughly five years old and suggested the Town consider commissioning an updated water study based on current finances and conditions. Council unanimously approved a $72,000 Estero Boulevard Phase 3 Sidestreet Change Order for pipe straps and inlet cores along Dakota Avenue, Palmetto Street and Lazy Way; approved up to $100,000 to Shenandoah Construction Company for Stormwater Maintenance & Repair Work including video inspection and cleaning existing stormwater pipes; and authorized $202,627 to Kelly Brothers, Inc., to replace the Matanzas Pass Dinghy Dock, though Town Staff noted it can shift $73,327 to this project remaining from the Bayside Seawall repair, along with a $64,000 Grant to help pay for this project.

MULHOLLAND AWARDS

In other matters, Council presented 2019 Mulholland Stewardship Awards to well-known local businessman Tom Myers and the late Dr. Leroy Hommerding, the former Director of the Fort Myers Beach Library. In presenting the award to Myers, Murphy noted that Myers recently stepped down

after 40 years as President of “The Friends of The Matanzas Pass Preserve,” quipping that “some people just can’t hold a job!” When he gave the second Mulholland Award to the FMB Library Board & Staff, who accepted it on behalf of Dr. Hommerding, Murphy reminded all that both gentlemen will have their names on the commemorative tree plaque in Council Chambers, stating that “Dr. Hommerding will not only be memorialized at the Library, especially over the environmental features he championed, he will also be memorialized forever here at Town Hall.” Under “Public Comment,” Gayle Mason reported that Lee County Commissioners seem receptive to reconstructing the historic stone archway that was the former entry to Fort Myers Beach at Crescent Beach Family Park in tribute to late Commissioner Larry Kiker, the former Fort Myers Beach Mayor and Council member who passed away in April. To achieve its goal to raise $100,000, the “Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc.,” volunteer group will soon inaugurate a “Buy a Brick” fundraising campaign and asked Council to consider a location for the memorial bricks, suggesting “Newton Beach Park, Town Hall, or Fountain Square that overlooks the original arch location. The arches must be somewhere besides on the wall behind Town Council!” Council received Advisory Committee Reports from Marine Resources Task Force on updating the Town Fertilizer Ordinance, and from Jim Rodwell of the Audit Committee who concluded, “The Town appears to be in a very good

financial condition at the moment.” Council presented Proclamations for the October 29 “Red Ribbon Week” as well as August’s “Children’s Vision & Learning Month.” Under its “Consent Agenda,” Council unanimously approved the Disposition of Surplus Items; distribution of the $188,768 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant; and a 2019-20 Interlocal Agreement with Lee County for Stray Animal Control Services for $8,518. Under “Town Manager’s Items,” Hernstadt discussed how the Town would cooperate with Bonita Springs, Sanibel and the Department of Health on water quality hazards; that the Town now received in excess of $5.5 million in Grant Dollars, mostly for Stormwater; that the Town recently received over $400,000 in reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency from Hurricane Irma; and a possible Town cosponsorship program with residents to attempt to eradicate the growing iguana population. Under “Town Attorney Items,” Herin stated, “The Town is still waiting the Writ of Certiorari conclusion for the Margaritaville Resort; as soon as that comes out, I will let you know.”

LIENS, ARCHES & MANATEES

Under “Council Member Items,” Shamp raised a concern that the Town is missing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in uncollected property liens that could easily offset any potential increases to the Town’s Tax Millage, with the Town Manager & Attorney

to investigate remedies. Shamp felt the Town needs a new Ordinance to protect residents and visitors from credit card skimmers, with the Town Manager replying that Council will receive an initial draft at its August 19 Meeting. Hosafros said she would like to help with the “Restore The Arches” group’s request, and inquired if the Town Manager had an update on the Town cohosting with Lee County a “Hazardous Waste Disposal Day.” The Town Manager replied that Lee County agreed to that request and he is working out the exact dates and details. Hosafros noted that a Town resident recently related her concern over Lee County’s high rate of manatee deaths and was disappointed that she was not at this meeting to provide her input; the Town Manager added that “the Town will welcome any assistance to promote manatee protection.” Butcher stated that the Lee County Horizon’s Group that promotes affordable housing will tour Fort Myers Beach on Tuesday, September 24, from 8:30 a.m. to roughly 1:30 p.m. He and Jacki Liszak, the Executive Director of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, will accompany them. Murphy announced that the Town’s next Strategic Planning Session is Wednesday August 14; its Management & Planning Session is Thursday, August 15; and its next Town Council Meeting is Monday, August 19; all in Town Hall at 9 a.m. Council adjourned at 12:47 p.m.

Businesses Worried About

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Reliably Serving Fort Myers Beach since 2001

Council Summer Break OverGlyphosate Ban & Elections, Cont’d from pg.8


Times Square Street PerformersQuinn, Sparkles Extoll FMB Virtues, Cont’d from pg.3

received over 800 responses in support in less than 48 hours. Most gratifying is that more than 80% of the Times Square business owners personally signed our hardcopy petition, because they feel we not only draw patrons to Times Square but keep them here longer than they might otherwise stay.” He is effervescent in his admiration of his fellow entertainers: “We all get along and work so well together! I have never seen an argument between two Street Performers – Never! Mayor Cereceda put it best when she said we are a self-regulating group.” Mike hopes Council ratifies the current Times Square Street Performer Ordinance at their August 19 Meeting, “What we do is important for our community. People tell me all the time how much they love me as ‘The Skeleton Pirate’ and we entertainers are one of the reasons they return every year. Comments like those make us all feel happy and are why we do what we do!”

SUPER SPARKLY HULA HOOP GIRL

Brittany Sparkles is one of the newest Times Square Street Performers, entertaining Fort Myers Beach patrons since April. “I perform a 25 to 30-minute Circle Style Show that is a one-woman hula-hoop circus show. I spin plates, balance on a cylinder, and pass my body through two small hoops, with my big finish a super sparkly ultra-cool LED-lights hula hoop finale! My show includes lots of audience participation and comedy!” Before beginning her Times Square act, Brittany was in professional circuses for 12 years, nationally and internationally. “I graduated from the National Institute of Circus Acts School in Melbourne, Australia, and toured America with such notable and traditional circuses as the Cole Brothers Circus and George Carden Shrine Circus. I love bringing my circus skills from around the world here to Fort Myers Beach that is now my home base.” The island community could not

make Brittany happier: “It is a real pleasure to have my show in Fort Myers Beach, as I feel both locals and visitors alike enjoy it, once their sunbathing and dining is over, as people are so excited to see me setting up to perform. They ask when my show will start or say they have seen my show before and really enjoy it. It’s also fun when I am just out doing ‘normal life’ and folks recognize me and come up and say ‘Hello.’ It’s a real honor knowing I am bringing joy and entertainment into people’s lives. I think that helping to fill the Times Square area with performance art is a beautiful thing, and that our performance artists make the area unique and exciting to visit, becoming a real fun and family night out!”

Handmade sculptures by Mike Quinn. PHOTO PROVIDED.

Mike Quinn as the Skeleton Pirate. PHOTO PROVIDED.


“Troubled Waters”Calusa Waterkeeper Film on Algae Health Risks, Cont’d from pg.1

McFarland, Adam Schaefer, Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani, Dr. Arthur Diskin, Dr. Robert Zarranz and registered nurse Holley Rauen, among others, many of who were on the expert panel who spoke following the documentary.

TROUBLED WATERS

The film opens with images all too familiar to Southwest Floridians from the summer of 2018: dead sea life and marine turtles, people wearing surgical masks and breathing from air machines and full-scale beach cleanup efforts, with the voiceover explaining that “Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) Red Tide and Blue-Green Algae impacted and killed not only millions upon millions of marine sea life but affected people’s quality of life, with the question becoming, ‘What is going on with our waters?’” Local experts like Cassani, Brand and Dr. Mike Parsons of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and the State’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force shared ideas and opinions. Southwest Floridians explained that their exposure to the water, including from sea breezes, led to headaches and breathing issues. Dr. Parsons stated an FGCU experiment revealed air toxin particles small enough to exchange between your lungs and blood stream, both near and far away from algae blooms. Dr. Davis found BMAA in the brains of dolphins equal to those of ALS patients. Dr. Cox felt the toxic soup caused by Red Tide and Blue-Green Algae blooms may be enough to trigger devastating illnesses in people, “but we just don’t know enough yet.” Dr. Bradley concurred, saying frustratingly, “We physicians don’t know that answer or outcome, and that is not a place where we as physicians like to be. The Health Department does not track this information.” Cassani concluded, “It is up to each of us to protect, preserve and restore water quality, not only for ourselves and our families but future generations.”

UP TO US

Following the film “Troubled Waters,” Schulberg and Cassani introduced the expert panel who shared critical information on the public health impacts of the Harmful Algae Blooms. Presenters were Dr. Walter Bradley; Dr. Larry Brand; Dr. Paul Alan Cox; Dr. David Davis; registered nurse Holley Rauen; Dr. Howard Simon; Dr. Parisima Taeb; and Dr. Robert Zarranz, all of whom are in the documentary. Before turning the program over to the panel, Schulberg explained, “We invited all of our local elected officials to attend

tonight, but unfortunately, only a handful showed up this evening. It is really critical that they participate with us to get this thing fixed, so stay on them and get after them to help us to solve our water problems.” Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Ray Murphy was among those in attendance. “We have an extraordinary array of talent on this stage tonight,” continued Schulberg, “and are honored to have this caliber of people here to address our water quality problems. It is looking more and more like Southwest Florida will be Ground Zero for water quality and health issues so we have to charge ourselves to be the poster children to do what is necessary to make everything right. While sometimes it may seem depressing, I love the optimism I get from these people, that we have the ability to show the rest of the world what we need to do to solve this, as the remainder of the planet will pick up on our success, so it is up to us!” Dr. Walter Bradley is a professor at the University of Miami Department of Neurology, who provided the initial introduction at the beginning of “Troubled Waters.” “I deal with ALS and similar diseases that may well be related to cyanobacteria.” “I study the biology and ecology of algae,” said Dr. Larry Brand of the University of Miami. “Algae is the basis of the food chain, so if we do not have algae in the water, we do not have any food, but unfortunately, high concentrations lead to HABs. My research focuses primarily on the causes of nutrients that peak these Harmful Algae Blooms. There are a lot of toxins that produce cyanobacteria that we have yet to discover, so the bottom line is we can’t wait for someone else to measure and identify these. If you see an algae bloom, assume there are toxins in it; I certainly would not swim in that condition nor would I eat any seafood from that water.”

RIGHT TO CLEAN WATER

Dr. Paul Alan Cox is the Executive Director of The Brain Chemistry Labs in Jackson, Wyoming. “As Americans, I believe people have the right to have clean water; don’t you think that? When you have passionate and interested people through all layers of society, like all of you here tonight, we have a role to play to fix this problem. You all have the right scientists and universities and leaders here to fix this forever, with solutions that will go all the way around the world that will work, as clean water is your right and responsibility and we stand ready in Wyoming to help you achieve this in any way that we can.”

“I support your mission for clean water,” added Dr. David Davis of the University of Miami School of Medicine. “My goal as a scientist is to show how toxins affect the brain throughout a lifespan: what will happen in a week and two weeks and a month and after a few years, so the questions I ask in the lab is how many people do HABs affect and how can we help them. Tonight is remarkable, as I have never seen such a passionate community turnout like this in my entire life! It is ultimately up to all of you to push for the changes that we professionals are trying to bring across through our research and data, so thank you all!” Registered nurse Holley Rauen said, “This turnout really opens my heart, as each one of us here have a calling to answer our commitment to solve HABs. It is our right to have clean water, as water is life! There are hundreds of issues and potential solutions for clean water and all of those can be overwhelming, so I made a personal commitment to dedicate the rest of my life to attaining one solution, and that is to protect our coastal wetlands. To help do this, I looked all over the nation for a course that would teach me about cyanobacteria and HABs and found nothing! We need to translate all of this science into an educational program, and I am doing that right here with the cooperation of LeeHealth, to teach our local registered nurses about these issues, as they are on the front lines, performing intake and triage, so we will start with LeeHealth, then take it down the road. You all must learn to be better patients and health historians, so your physicians will take you seriously and not shut you out.”

THE DIRTY WORD - POLITICS

“I am not the scientist here!” joked Dr. Howard Simon. “My Doctorates are in Philosophy and Social Ethics, but I spent a 44-year career working on changes in public policy with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). I will say the dirty word tonight – ‘Politics’ – because the only permanent solutions will come from enacting statewide and national health standards. I hope one of the purposes of this evening is to disseminate information about how we can all work together to prevent these potential water diseases from progressing any further, and how to involve us all in enacting these public policy changes, such as finding ways to replace voluntary Best Management Practices that do not work with enforceable statewide standards. The bad news is that your Legislators do not work for you but for the special interests. We

recently had the biggest outbreaks of Blue-Green Algae and Red Tide blooms in all of Florida’s history and all the politicians vowed to do something, yet when this year’s legislative session adjourned, they had done very little, as they still work for the agricultural interests and developers at the expense of public health and the people of Florida.” Dr. Parisima Taeb is a board-certified internal medicine specialist. “I became a physician because it is my passion to help people and educate them with the resources they need to protect themselves and their families, so when the health crisis struck last year and patients with HAB symptoms were being turned away or blown off by their own physicians, it became my job to provide better public health education. It is important that you as patients educate yourselves, because you may have to educate your own physician about HABs, as too many doctors are still blowing off their patients with HAB symptoms and the Department of Health is not doing what they should be doing. Stay involved to save our waters and save ourselves.” “I am an ear, nose and throat disease specialist,” said Dr. Robert Zarranz of the University of South Florida in Tampa, “so all the experts in this are sitting to my right! I never thought of myself as an activist, but I now realize that I am scared, because I look at all of this talent on this panel, many of whom traveled from all over the nation to come to our community to study our water quality issues, so for all of these amazing scientists and physicians to come here, that is not a good sign, so now I am worried and am an activist, as no one else will do this for us! “I read that the new Lee County Commissioner is an advisor to healthcare clients and my initial reaction was ‘YES! This is wonderful!’ then I learned he advises his clients on healthcare real estate who developed over 1.5 million square feet of property,” Zarranz said. “We don’t need more development but solutions to the problems that all of this development brings and causes to our community. We must hold the feet of our physicians and medical industry to the fire, or we will be sitting here ten years from now and not even remembering we were here today! That is scary, so we must find fixes for our environment and pass those along to the next generations.” For more information on future screenings of “Troubled Waters,” local water quality issues or on how to join Calusa Waterkeeper, see calusawaterkeeper.org.

K. C. Schulberg, at podium, introduces the Expert Panel of (L to R) Dr. Walter Bradley; Dr. Larry Brand; Dr. Paul Alan Cox; Dr. David Davis; Holley Rauen;

Dr. Howard Simon; Dr. Parisima Taeb; & Dr. Robert Zarranz.


Fishing is on fire this sum-mer. The beaches, bays, rivers and creeks are all producing a mixed bag of redfish, snook, seatrout, tarpon and snapper. There are big schools of bait and there’s been just enough rain to make all the critters in our estuaries happy. Last year at this time South-west Florida was struggling with one of the worst water quality is-sues most of us have ever seen. Red tide was prevalent off our shores and blue-green algae was in our interior canals and waterways. What a difference a year makes. At this writing there are no signs of either and unlike past years where the problem was mostly ignored when the good followed the bad, locals are now determined to right the wrongs of years of compla-cency. There are now groups and movements in place to better mon-itor and research our water quality. There is light at the end of the tun-nel. We mustn’t let our guard down. This past week I went fish-ing with my brother, who lives in St. James City on Pine Island. My daughter and granddaughters from Kentucky joined us. We left the dock early and headed to the grass flats near Tarpon Bay and then north to the power lines. I’m happy to report that the seatrout are back and the sizes were mixed in both locations. We caught a lot of small ones on popping cork rigs baited with live shrimp, and of course the usual mix of ladyfish, jacks, mangrove

snapper and catfish. When we switched to artificial Gulp Shrimp under the corks the bigger trout de-cided to eat. I’m not sure why this happened, but hey, I’ll take an un-expected gift anytime. The unusual catch was a large bluefish caught by my granddaughter, Emma. I’m used to seeing plenty of bluefish in the winter months, especially along our shorelines, but a summer in-shore blue is rare. A little later in the morning we relocated to nearby mangrove islands and set up for redfish. What we’d normally throw toward the mangrove overhanging branches would be quarter-ounce jig heads with live shrimp, hooked tail first. But the gals weren’t very experi-enced with feeling the bite, so once again the popping cork came into play. I shortened the line under the cork to about 18 inches and used the same jig head and live shrimp combo. The first cast produced a good sized bonnethead shark. A total of five redfish followed along with a host of mangrove snapper. Here’s a tip. If you’re going for the reds along the bushes make sure your cast lands as close as possi-ble. If the cork was out just a few feet there were no takers. As we traveled from spot to spot it became abundantly clear that the water clarity was a nor-mal sea-green and seagrass had returned to many areas where it was missing this past fall. There was also lots of bait on the surface

and pinfish were flashing like silver coins on the bottom in the deeper grass. Earlier in the week I fished Estero Bay and the changes there were also positive. Redfish were caught near mangrove islands and oyster bars. There were also snook willing to bite near the mangroves and I hooked up with a lot of man-grove snapper. There was a lot of

concern about the lack of seatrout after last summer’s red tide, but al-though small, they have suddenly returned to the flats and passes. I believe our bays are on the path to recovery after last year’s water quality debacle, but me must remain vigilant. We must demand changes in the way our water is managed so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy great fish-ing well into the future. Captain Rob Modys is a

lifetime Florida outdoorsman, re-tired spin & fly fishing guide and host of REEL Talk Radio on ESPN 99.3 FM from 7-10 a.m. every Sat-urday morning. He is past president and board chairman of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association and serves on the board of the Florida Guides Association. Capt. Rob also shares his fishing knowledge in a series of fishing classes at Bass Pro Shops.

Emma with her unusual summer catch, a large bluefish.

Aubrey & her redfish catch. Photos by Capt. Rob Modys.


SUMMER SPEAKERJoin the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve on TU, Aug 13 at Tucka-way Café, 2301 Estero Blvd, FMB, for a fun, educational and engaging event, “What is Ecotourism: Its sig-nificance and impact on the local economy” with Nancy MacPhee, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. Gather at 5:30pm with food and beverages available for purchase. Speaker begins at 6pm. The Friends’ Summer Storyteller & Speaker Series is offered on the second TU of each month May – October. For more information call 239-233-8542 or email [email protected].

BUNCHE BEACH BIRDSOn TH Aug 15 at 6pm, enjoy beau-tiful Bunche Beach, an excellent birding site with a Bird Patrol Guide. Bunche is an excellent spot for both

migrant and resident waders and shorebirds working the mudflats at low tide. Also warblers, waterfowl and raptors. Free with paid parking ($2/hour) For more info call 707-3015.

SUMMER HOURS The Estero Island Historic Soci-ety Cottage Museum at 161 Bay Rd, FMB is open only on WE from 10am – noon for the summer. The museum is free and open to the public. Learn local history through photographs and memorabilia. En-joy an interactive experience with old time island residents, while his-toric photos are viewed on a large screen. Local history books are available for purchase. Located at the end of Bay Rd at the entrance to Matanzas Pass Preserve. Turn at the Library.

GROUPER GRAPPLEFish Tale Marina is sponsoring the 7th Annual Grouper Grapple on SA Aug 17. Captains’ Meeting will be held at Fish Tale Marina on FR Aug 16. Teams must be registered by 8pm Friday. Registration and tour-nament info at GrouperGrapple.com. 100% of entry fees will be paid out to winning teams & an-glers. This tournament benefits The Reunite the Fight military veteran’s assistance organization. Eight vet-erans will be provided a Back Bay fishing excursion including travel costs as part of this event. Plus the eight veterans who participated last year will be invited back for another weekend of back bay fishing.

VOLUNTEERS WANTEDThe Friends of the Fort Myers Beach Library are seeking volun-teers for their used book store at the library - Beachcombers Books - for August and September. This off-season volunteer opportunity has quiet shifts, and easy parking. Morning (9:15am-1:00pm) and af-ternoon (1 – 4:45pm) shifts are available MO – FR. On SA only morning shifts. If you can help, call the book store at 239-233-8447.

MOUND HOUSE KAYAK TOURSEnjoy the beauty of the back bay with a Kayak Tour at the Mound House. All paddling equipment is provided and museum admission is includ-ed in these tours. Weather permit-ting. Reservations are required for all tours by calling 239-765-0865. Take advantage of their Summer Specials, available for a limited time: 50% off admission when you mention MOUNDHOUSE2019 and 20% off kayak tours with the online code SUMMER20.

Mangroves by Kayak Tour is of-fered at 8am every SA & WE in Au-gust;. This tour explores the wind-ing mangrove creeks and hidden backwaters of Estero Bay. Guided by Dexter Norris, Mound House En-vironmental Educator. For ages 12 & up $45 fee. (Members $15)

Family Fun Kayak Tour is offered FR Aug 16, 23 & 30 at 8am. This tour, designed for parents and their children ages 6 & up, offers instruc-tion on land before heading out at an easy relaxed pace. Paddlers look for wildlife, including birds, manatees and dolphins as they paddle through the mangroves of Estero Bay. $25 ages 13 and up; $15 ages 6-12. (Members $10)

COASTAL CLEANUPThe debris on our beaches and in our waterways is much more than a blemish on the environment, it is a public health threat and a serious danger to our ocean ecosystems. Keep Lee County Beautiful (KLCB)and the FMB Community Founda-tion invites everyone to help make a difference by participating in The International Coastal Cleanup on SA Sept 21 from 9am - noon. For Fort Myers Beach efforts, check in at FMB Elementary School, 2751 Oak St, FMB. Other Lee County

sites include Bunche Beach & Lov-ers Key State Park Event Field. Vis-it KLCB.org to register or for more information.

BEACH LIBRARYThe Fort Myers Beach Library is a great place to visit. Browse the li-brary’s many collections, use the computers, read newspapers, vis-it the Library Café, Friends Used Bookstore or the artwork on the 3rd floor, all in air-conditioned comfort! The Library is open MO-FR 9am-5pm and SA 9am-1pm. 239-765-8162. Upcoming programs include:

TU Aug 13: 2:15-3:15pm – Dog Day for Kids, pre-registerTH Aug 15: 2:30pm – Family Mati-nee, “Sherlock Gnomes”TU Aug 20: 10:30am – Book Dis-cussion, “The Trouble with Goats and Sheep” by Joanna Cannon.TH Aug 22: 10:30am – The Moth – True Stories Told Live, pre-registerMO Aug 26: 10:30am – Library Tour

MOUND HOUSEThe oldest standing structure on Fort Myers Beach with a histori-cal museum inside and beautiful grounds outside including an obser-vation pier, kayak launch and amaz-ing back bay views. Grounds open sunrise to sunset. Museum is open TU, WE & SA 9am-4pm. Located at 451 Connecticut St. with over-flow parking at 216 Connecticut. Call for exact times on kayak tours, costs, reservations and additional information. 239-765-0865. Save 20% on kayak tours for a limited time when you use the code SUM-MER20 during online registration; 50% off Museum admission when you mention MOUNDHOUSE2019. Upcoming programs include:

SA Aug 10: 8am-Mangroves by Kayak Tour; 10am – Exploring Ar-chaeology; 11am Shell Mound Tour; 1pm – Guided Museum TourTU Aug 13: 9am-Beach Walk at Newton Park (beach conditions per-mitting); 10am-Family Adventures ($2); 11am & 2pm-Shell Mound Tour; 1pm-Guided Museum TourWE Aug 14: 8am-Mangroves by Kayak Tour; 10am –Painting Pot-tery ($2); 11am & 2pm-Shell Mound Tour; 1pm – Guided Museum TourFR Aug 16: 8am-Family Fun Kayak Tour (Museum closed)SA Aug 17: 8am-Mangroves by

A Publ ic at ion of FortMyersBe ach .ne ws

F R E E

A Daily Guide to Fun on the Beach

August


Join Us in the

RAINBOW ROOM

“Let’s Get Nauti” BINGO

DAILY SPECIALSMON - $5.95 Beef Sliders or Mini Hot Dogs with FriesTUES - $5.95 Nacho Basket or 3 TacosWED - Buy One Appetizer Get One 1/2 PriceTHU - Buy One Basket Get One 1/2 PriceFRI - $12.95 All You Can Eat Fish FrySUN - 80 Cent Wings

***Dine in Only*****Daily Food Specials Until 6PM**

*Not Valid with other Discounts, Prices Subject to Change*

August 10th 9pm-2am$10 per personTickets by Eventbrite

MASQUERADE THE WHITE PARTY

AUGUST 24TH 7PMReservations at 239.314.5667

RETURNS!

Kayak Tour; 10am-Gardens Walk-ing Tour; 11am–Shell Mound Tour; 1pm-Guided Museum Tour

LOVERS KEY STATE PARKGuided nature programs are of-fered in the park. All programs require registration, are free with park entry and take place at 10am. To register call 239-463-4588. Up-coming programs include:

WE Aug 14 – Shelling & Beach-combingFR Aug 16 – Sensational SharksFR Aug 23 – Walk on the Wild Side

PROTECT OUR TURTLESFMB is in the midst of a record tur-tle nesting AND hatching season! Beachfront homeowners are asked to do their part to protect our nest-ing and newly hatched turtles. Tur-tles are disoriented by lights shining on the beach. Shield your outdoor lights or replace the bulbs with Am-ber LED bulbs. Turtles cannot see

amber LED lighting, but humans can. Turtle-friendly lights are now available at Town Hall or at bit.ly/lit-es4turtles. If you walk on the beach at night, DO NOT use a flashlight or your cell phone! Contact Rae Burns at Town Hall for a free light inspection 239-765-0202. Remove or stack beach furniture close to the building. Remove all beach lit-ter. Fill in all holes you dig on the beach. You can make a difference! For more information on sea turtles visit TurtleTime.org.

HURRICANE RE-ENTRY PASSESDo you have a FMB Re-entry Pass? Fort Myers Beach residents and businesses may obtain a hurri-cane re-entry pass at Town Hall. In the event of an evacuation, passes may be required to re-enter the is-land. If you have a Purple (resident) or Yellow (business) pass, they are valid for the 2019 season. If you do not already have one of those, pick

up an application at Town Hall or online at The Town of Fort Myers Beach website: Emergency Pre-paredness. Applicants will need to provide photo I.D. and proof of residency. For details on what proof is needed, call 239-765-0202 or see website. Passes will not be mailed this year, so stop in Town Hall to get yours!

RECYCLE SMART Lee County is tied for first place for recycling in Florida with a re-cycle rate of 77%, but we can improve that. Make sure that what you place in your recycling bin truly belongs there. Don’t be a Wish-cycler! (Someone who tosses questionable items in the recycle bin and hopes they can somehow be recycled.) Don’t toss anything in the bin with food left on it. DO NOT RECYCLE THESE ITEMS IN LEE COUNTY: Plastic bags of any kind with any num-ber on them, wire or plastic hang-ers, Styrofoam anything, waxed cardboard (ice cream tubs, milk containers, juice boxes), anything with food or dirt on it or greasy pizza boxes (trash the greasy bottom, tear off the clean top and recycle). Learn more at bit.ly/FMBrecycle EDISON FORD ESTATESThe Edison Ford Winter Estates at 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort My-ers, includes a historical museum and 21-acre botanical garden on the sites of the winter homes of

FORT MYERS BEACHNESTS................... 112*FALSE CRAWLS... 119HATCHED............. 38

BONITA SPRINGSNESTS.................. 238*FALSE CRAWLS.. 378HATCHED ............. 92 *record

www.turtletime.org

Thomas Edison and Henry Ford on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Open daily from 9am -5:30pm. Guided and self-guided tours are available. For more information call 239-334-7419. Upcoming special programs include:

SA Aug 10 from 10 - 11:30am – Garden Talk – BromeliadsSA Aug 17 from 9am - 2pm – National Honey Bee Day, free

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

Tuesday, 8/13 8:00am FMB Mosquito Control Board, 300 Lazy Way, FMB 9:00am Local Planning Agency 3:00pm Community Resource Advisory Board

Wednesday, 8/14 9:30am Fire Board, 2755 Estero Blvd, FMB 4:30pm Marine Resources Task Force

Thursday, 8/15 9:00am Town Council Planning

All meetings take place in Town Hall, 2525 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach unless otherwise noted. Meetings are subject to change.


WHAT IS COMMUNITY COMICSEach week I draw a cartoon and put it up on my FB page (Mark List) on Saturday morning, and ask all my FB

friends to contribute captions for the cartoon. I also ask that everyone vote for the ones they think are the funniest. The ones with the most Likes by Monday or Tuesday get printed in the funnies pages that week. We

do it simply for the fun of it.

“Rusty thought he’d found the perfect service animals until

they developed an ear fetish.”Eric M. Huntsman

“Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right! Here I am stuck in

the middle again!”Jon Barnard, Wils Murphy, and Sandy Yauch-Collins

The blank stare confirms that the cosmic struggle between

good and evil has no effect on Kevin due to an excessive ear

wax problem.Kevin Kenworthy

“I don’t know about these earrings I got in Times Square.”

Mike Popeye Dearden

“Paul started to regret asking the question “What’s the buzz?”.

Sarah List

“Hey mate, think of the long life you’ll have if you listen to me! Sex, drugs and Rock n

Roll!” Keith RichardsCorky Condon


BEACH BUSINESSES

Hello Fort Myers Beach, San Carlos Island and surrounding areas! This month we would like to highlight some excellent news from the Life Safety Division of the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department regarding a new service we intro-duced this year. We are very excited to announce that we are now con-ducting Fire and Life Safety Plan Examination and Permitting for our community. What does this mean? Examining plans submitted for multi-family and commercial struc-tures will be completed by a Fort Myers Beach Fire Department Spe-cialist to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes rather than be-ing sent out of the area for review by a third party. What items are being looked at? The plan examination process is detailed and begins with assessing the site, checking the available wa-ter supply and gathering information regarding the usage of the structure. It is during the plan examination process that the fire plan examiner will review essential life safety items for the safety of occupants and first responders. What fire codes are used? Similar to the codes the Life Safe-ty Specialists use when conducting an inspection, the plans examin-er will use all applicable fire codes based on the use, starting with the Florida Fire Prevention Code. The Florida State Fire Marshal also rec-ognizes the National Fire Protection Association codes. Information on approved current editions can be found in the Florida Administrative Code (Page 69A-60). After all these years, why now? In an effort to provide our

community with the best service in life safety, we determined our com-munity deserved to have a plans examiner locally, rather than a third-party service. We feel that our previous process lacked a sense of community responsibility, and we desired to keep the process in the community. Providing this ser-vice in-house allows us to be avail-able to community needs, answer questions and ultimately be more responsive to those who use these services. Since implementation, this has streamlined our process result-ing in incredibly enhanced customer service and responsiveness. In addition to the technical responsibility of examining plans, to enhance our services and cre-ate a “one-stop shop” for the life safety needs of our community, the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department Life Safety Division assumed the responsibility of issuing fire trade permits. Fire trade permits relate to Florida Statutes Chapter 633.202 and the installation, alteration or modification of a fire and life safety system such as fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire suppression systems and propane tanks. If you are interested in more information about our plans exam-ination or permitting services, or any other services offered by the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, please contact us at (239) 590-4200, email us at [email protected], or visit us on the web at www.FMBFire.org. You can also sub-scribe to the Fire Chief’s “Scoop” to stay up to date on weekly activity. Thank you for your support and make it a safe day!

Matt LoveFMBFD Fire Chief

The U.S. Army Corps of En-gineers (USACE) is seeking public input on a proposed change to the 2008 Lake Okeechobee Regula-tion Schedule (LORS) that will al-low the Corps to deviate from the LORS schedule of water releases to address harmful algae blooms. They are accepting comments from August 6 – 21. Comments may be mailed to Jacksonville District Corps of Engineers, 701 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207-8175 or emailed to [email protected] In order to make these changes the USACE must approve an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Signifi-cant Impact (FONSI) related to the changes to LORS. The changes would allow the USACE more flexibility, allow-ing them to release more water when algae blooms are not pres-ent on the lake and less when there are blooms on the lake. The USACE press release of August 6 stated, “The goal is to release the same net amount of water as would have been released follow-ing LORS guidance, but to attempt to minimize risks posed when algal blooms are present.” The USACE proposal would also allow maximum releas-es south under certain conditions. The proposed flexibility would be maintained until the 2008 LORS is replaced with a new water control plan, Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) esti-mated to be complete in 2022. The larger releases before rainy season would allow greater flexibility so that less water would need to be released when HABs are present in the lake or estuaries.

HAB operations could be utilized if an HAB is in or anticipat-ed in Lake O, the Caloosahatchee River, St. Lucie River or Caloosa-hatchee or St. Lucie estuaries, if the state declares a state of emer-gency due to an HAB in any of those locations or if an HAB has occurred and caused harm or has impacted public safety during the past 18 months within those areas. Coastal residents are urged to contact the USACE and support the EA and FONSI related to the proposed LORS changes that will allow the flexibility to alter Lake O releases to manage harmful algae blooms. Mail comments by August 21 to Jacksonville District Corps of Engineers, 701 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207-8175 or send via email to [email protected] The full USACE press re-lease with links to the EA and FONSI can be found at bit.ly/LORSchange

From the Fire ChiefPlan Review

Army Corps Seeks InputLake O Releases

Gates at W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam. PHOTO BY JACI VERWERS,

COURTESY OF USACE


For all tides go to www.saltwatertides.com

Tides • Matanzas Pass • Ft. Myers BeachDay High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon /Low Time Feet Sunset Visible F 9 Low 1:03 AM 1.7 6:57 AM Set 1:56 AM 61 9 High 8:09 AM 2.9 8:09 PM Rise 3:43 PM 9 Low 3:55 PM 0.4 9 High 11:51 PM 2.0

Sa 10 Low 1:54 AM 1.8 6:58 AM Set 2:41 AM 71 10 High 9:09 AM 3.0 8:09 PM Rise 4:39 PM 10 Low 4:59 PM 0.2

Su 11 High 1:02 AM 2.0 6:58 AM Set 3:29 AM 80 11 Low 2:59 AM 1.8 8:08 PM Rise 5:33 PM 11 High 10:09 AM 3.0 11 Low 5:51 PM 0.1

M 12 High 1:44 AM 2.1 6:59 AM Set 4:19 AM 87 12 Low 4:03 AM 2.0 8:07 PM Rise 6:23 PM 12 High 11:04 AM 3.2 12 Low 6:34 PM 0.1

Tu 13 High 2:14 AM 2.1 6:59 AM Set 5:12 AM 93 13 Low 4:58 AM 1.8 8:06 PM Rise 7:09 PM 13 High 11:51 AM 3.2 13 Low 7:11 PM 0.1

W 14 High 2:37 AM 2.1 7:00 AM Set 6:05 AM 97 14 Low 5:44 AM 1.7 8:05 PM Rise 7:52 PM 14 High 12:32 PM 3.2 14 Low 7:43 PM 0.1

Th 15 High 2:53 AM 2.1 7:00 AM Set 6:58 AM 99 15 Low 6:25 AM 1.6 8:04 PM Rise 8:30 PM 15 High 1:10 PM 3.2 15 Low 8:11 PM 0.2

F 16 High 3:06 AM 2.1 7:00 AM Set 7:51 AM 99 16 Low 7:04 AM 1.5 8:04 PM Rise 9:06 PM 16 High 1:46 PM 3.2 16 Low 8:37 PM 0.4

B E A C H C L A S S I F I E D S

SUPPORTYOUR

NEIGHBORS

SHOP LOCALLY

A Better Bugman LLCA Full Service

Pest Control CompanyResidential & Commercial MOSQUITO + SPIDERSCONTROL PROGRAMS

Call Today for FREE Estimate.

Phone: 239-454-BUGS(2847)Fax: 239-415-BUGS(2847)

PEST CONTROL

HANDY MAN

For Small Household Jobs & Home Watch

Call EMMYTHE HOME DOCTOR

239-233-2587Handyman Service

FOR RENT

WANTED TO RENT

WANTED: SEASONAL RENTALMature couple in 50’s

No smoking; no pets; no kidsLooking for small accommoda-

tions for upcoming winter season Very flexible with dates

Contact 417-425-7781 [email protected]

FOR RENT2BR 2BA Unfurnished

Coastal Estates Community (Off Pine Ridge Rd.)

Children OK $1200/mo.

Leave message for Mike 239-878-9060


PUZZLE ANSWERS


RELAXATIONINGRELAXATIONING

(to relax while on vacation)

Enjoy Relaxationing

Waterfront Views

Scrumptious Food,

Fine Spirits, and

Superb Service!

ENJOY OUR COOL INDOOR DINING OR OUTSIDE WATERFRONT SEATING.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Open Daily 12-10pm

Say Goodbye to Summer Camps

Summer days are winding down for Lee County students as the first day of school approaches Monday, August 12. Before those first school bells ring, local kids have been getting in some summer camp fun. Several summer camps, including those at Bay Oaks Recreation Center, and Ostego Bay Marine Science Center kept many children active and learning this summer. PHOTOS BY SARAH LIST.


CLUB FRIDAY 8/09 SATURDAY 8/10 SUNDAY 8/11 MONDAY 8/12 TUESDAY 8/13 WEDNESDAY 8/14 THURSDAY 8/15 COTTAGEGulfshore Grill

765-5440STEVE FARST

9PM-1AMTHE WILDINGS

9PM-1AMTROUBLEMAKERS

8-12PMFADED ROOTS

8-12PMTHE WILDINGS

8-12pmSTEVE FARST

8-12pmNEW VINYLS

8-12pm

DIXIE FISH CO.Fisherman’s Wharf

233-8837MARK WESLEY

5:30-8:30PMSOME LITTLE FISH

5:30-8:30PMGIRL MEETS BOY

4PMTEQUILA TOM5:30-8:30PM

JEFF LYONS5:30-8:30PM

BOBBY BLAKEY5:30-8:30PM

DOC FORDS708 Fishermans Whf.

765-96603 CROOKED STEPS

6:30-9:30PMGIRL MEETS BOY

6:30-9:30PM3 CROOKED STEPS

1-4PMGIRL MEETS BOY

6:30-9:30PMSTEVE McDOUGALL

6:30-9:30PM

MATANZAS on the BAY414 Crescent463-3838

DANIEL D 5-9PM

SCOTTY BRYAN 12-4PM

MARY WINNER 5-9PMMARK DUKE 12-4PM

SAILOR LARRY 5-9PMSCOTT BRYAN

5-9PMSAILOR LARRY

5-9PMPETE BEARD

5-9PMMARY WINNER

5-9PM

NAUTI PARROT19001 SAN CARLOS BLVD

314-5667BUBBA LOVE

6-10PMCLIVE LIVE 1-5PMTJ & TIM 5:30PM

ADAM MAC 1-5PMJPH 6-9

COLLABORATION BAND7-11PM

SHERRIN McCUNE 5-5PM

JAMES PRATHER5:30PM

KENNY GIORDANO5:30-9:30PM

NERVOUS NELLIES1131 FIRST STREET

463-8077BILL ZINK

6-10PMSHAWN RUSSELL

6-10PMJEFF WHIDBY

6-10PMJOE JOHNSON

6-10PMBILL ZINK

6-10PMMEGHAN ROSE

6-10PMSHERRIN McCUNE

6-10PM

OUTRIGGER6200 Estero Blvd

463-3131ALAN SMALL

5-8MEAGAN ROSE &

SMOKIN’ BILL 2-5PMPRINCESS &SMALLTOWN

2-5PMJENNY VE

5-8PMMEAGAN ROSE

5-8PMENDRE D

5-8PM

PARROT KEYSalty Sam’s Marina

463-3257FRANK TORINO

7PMERIC MALIBU & PAPPA RASTA

6-9PMFRANK TORINO

7PM

PETE’S TIME OUTTime Square463-5900

AARON SEYFFERTH6-10PM

JAMES GRAGG 6-10PM

AARON SEYFERTH6-10PM

DAVE COLLATON6-10PM

JAMES GRAGG 6-10PM

PIERSIDE BY TOWN PIER

765-7800SHERRIN 1-5

JEFF WHIDBY 6-10FRANK THOMPSON

1-5 6-10FRANK THOMPSON 1-5

SHERRIN 6-10ANTHONY WAYNE 1-5

SHERRIN 6-10 BILL ZINK 1-5

JEFF WHIDBY 6-10BILL ZINK 1-5PM

MARY WINNER 6-10PMBILL ZINK 1-5PM

ANTHONY WAYNE 6-10PM

SALTY CRAB1154 Estero Blvd

233-8224

ANTHONY WAYNE 12-4PM

JPH ENTERTAINMENT 4-8PM

BERNIE HYLAND 1-5PMAARON SEYFFERTH

6-10PMCLOSED FOR

RENOVATIONSCLOSED FOR



RENOVATIONS

SOBsOld San Carlos Blvd

463-3474ANTHONY WAYNE

6-10PMWILL KAISER

6-10LEE HAGAN

6-10PMWILL KAISER

6-10ANTHONY WAYNE

6-10FRANK THOMPSON

6-10SHAWN RUSSELL

6-10

WHALE1249 Estero Blvd

463-5505TROUBLEMAKERS

9-12PM3 CROOKED STEPS

9-12PMRADIO GHOST

9-12PMKARAOKE WITH

BRENDA6-9PM

SAM DeARMOND ROGER YOUNG6-9PM

TYLER KLUESNER6-9PM

WHO’S PLAYING WHEREON AND AROUND THE BEACH

Who’s Playing Where Page is a free service for current Island Sand Paper Advertisers. ALL LISTINGS ARE SUPPLIED BY THE ADVERTISERS. ALL LISTINGS FOR THE MONTH ARE DUE ON THE 15TH OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WHO’S PLAYING WHERE. To qualify for listing, venue must have live music scheduled regularly

on multiple days per week. CONTACT SANDY AT 463-4461 TO DISCUSS ADVERTISING OPTIONS!


Ginger LimeShrimp

Live Music • Waterfront Seating • Island Mojitos

www.DocFords.com708 Fisherman’s Wharf • 239.765.9660

Award WinningFlavors From The

Caribbean Rim!

1249 Estero Blvd. • 239-463-5505 • www.thewhalefmb.com

Lee County’s Newest

Waterfront Restaurant& Fish House!

www.dixiefishfmb.com714 Fishermans Wharf • 239.233.8837

Retail Fish Market AvailableLocal Gulf Shrimp & Great Views

The Best Happy Houron the Beach!

Mon - Fri 2-5pm

Use a rideshare to get to The Whale, we’ll give you a FREE “Whale-A-Rita”!With purchase of food.

Live Music is Back Every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday! 9pm - Midnight!

free - island sand paper|fort myers beach newspage 4 the island sand paper fortmyersbeach.news...

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