THE ISLAND'S NEWSPAPER OF RECOPD WEEK GFT MAR, ip - 16, 2005 SAN IB EL & G APT! VA, FLORI DA VOLUME 32, NUMBER I 1 32 PAGES: FEC re-affirms 'Good Morning America'visits Jennings ruling by JENNY BURNHAM / By KEVIN DUFFY [email protected] kduffySbreezenewspapers^om A production crew of three from ABC- Councilman ji'n Jennings will weigh TV's Good Morning America spent his options before deciding whether or not Monday Mar. 7 interviewing Sanibe! to appeal the final ruling of the Florida ceiebritics and touring "Ding" Darling Elections Commission regarding cam- and the beaches for a future program seg- paign violations he allegedly commuted ment about the island. while running for office. Brad Lautcnbach. a producer with The ruling, which was posted on the Good Morning America, (old the Island commission's Web site Monday, realfinns Reporter that when network staff sug- its Nov. 17 finding that Jennings violated gested a feature about hurricane recovery, Section ]06.07(5)~of the Florida Statutes he immediately said, "i ve got the perfect on two occasions, with a tine of $1,000 place." Lautenbach, whose aunt Carol for the first count and S500 for the second: Lautcnbach is an inland resident, has vis- Section 106.190) (b) on 24 occassions ited Sanibel several times for family wed- (counts 3-26) at .S200 per infraction; and ' dings, and also toured the hurricane Section 106.021(3) on 30 occassions destruction first-hand. (counts 27-56) at Si 00 per count. He was "We're giad to see the extent of the ordered to pay a civil penalty of S9.300. recovery." he said. "This is such a beauti- That ruling found that Administrative ful island." Law Judge Jeff B. Clark had been in error The crew began their day by interview- Sept. 24 in dismissing counts 27-56. in ing Kevin Godsea, chief park ranger at which Jennings allegedly signed checks on J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge, and his campaign account when he was not the taking a tour along Wildlife Drive. They campaign tieasurer or deputv treasurer. visited the bald eagles nesting :it the Dairy The commission ruled, therefore, to over- Queen, where one of the eagles cooperat- turn Clark's decision and reinstate the ed b\ posing in a tree. They wound up by charges. interviewing Anne Joffe of She Sells Sea Shells about shelling on the island, and Above: Sam and Francis Bailey are inter- While the commission agreed vith 1 c viewed outside Bailey's General Store. Clark that an amendment to Section Sam and Francis Raiie\ o ' Bal!ev" 106.25 incorporated into law in 2004 that General Store about island hislorv Lautenbach informed the Bauejr * '- joffe is visited by 'tiv IV limits the commission's investigative crew at She Sells Sea Shells. power to violations specifically noted in before their interview that he wanted to the compiaint was valid, the question hear about the history of Sanibel. became whether it applied to pending Francis immediately corrected "Then "bul" on the end. San-bul." cases. Also at issue was whether the Lautenbach's pronunciation. Sam agreed. "That's the way we amendment is procedural or remedial, and "It's not San-e-belle," Francis said. always said it when I was growing up.'" the commission determined that it was nei- "It's 'San' with an accent," he said, chop- The date that the network will air the ping his hand to show the emphasis. See FEC segment has not been determined. page 15 Islanders cut ribbon on Chrissy Brown oncology ward By AMY FLEMING [email protected] No more long drives to Miami or Tampa for in- patient pediatric oncology care— Southwest Florida now has a unit to call its own. At a gala reception and ribbon cutting last Thursday evening the Lee Memorial Health System officially opened the new Chrissy Brown Hematology/Oncology Unit at the children's hospital. The SI.8 million unit contains eight licensed beds, plus two observation beds, an infusion room for out- patient treatment, and a piocedtire room for invasive treatments such as ihe placement of intravenous catheters. In this ward, (he beds are legarded as 'islands' of saiely, where no invasive procedures are performed. Moreover, the rooms are equipped with VCRs, PlajStations, and in-ioom monitors. Families arc encouraged to stay with ihe children, with sofa beds and comfortable lounge chairs provid- ed in each room. When parents need to be off-site, they Photo by Amy Fleming Photo by Amy Fleming are provided with laptop computers so they can receive Steve and Lena Brown view a portrait of their daughter Daphne and Myton Ireland Chrissy at the opening of the new oncology ward. updates on their child's progress. There is a dedicated L ClT¥ 1W» playroom for the kids, and a lunch room where fami- 1IV lies can enjoy meals together. Sanibel School Sanibel to win it's time again to The ward has a nautical decor, with hardly a speck • UP PLRIStOPh page 4 Beacon nat'i award for vote for your of clinical white in sight. Even the nurses' station is • LETTLRS page 6 made to look like a sand castle. The blue and tan floor- Hurricane favorites. ing has a gentle wave design, with the occasional skate • PERMITS page 21 response or fish motif. Ceiling tiles are even embossed with •TVL1S11\(,S page 22 The school "s student The Best of the Islands is fish, starfish, and other undersea forms. new spapcr • OBI it Mt> P'-'ge 2-J ior March is coming to benefit CROW. Sanibel"s former mayor Steve Blown and his wife here Nat'l HurriciiDC Conference in New Orleans to recog- Lena hosted the even!, referring to the rpeniny t;s "a • L(X)Ki\(, R\c.\ continuing miracle." Named af'er their duu^hiw -vho nize Sailibel's work. 1 • Sl'OKIS M£t> -" died of breast cancer in 200!. die Biov.ii>. MUG ilv.:- Mir- acle began when I hey iiad another ninu ."n-iilis lo spcski • Cl \-SII-,. i,-. .. p^i\ 28 W p;i;_ie !8 — See page ? -— Sec page i3 * DAILUM .... ... i,.!S,( 30 2 • Week of Mar. 10-16, 2005 • ISLAND REPORTER Robb & Stucky designers create award- From elegant dining tables and Whether it's one piece or a winning interiors, both residential and commercial, chairs ready for your entertaining to the latest whole house, our designers can guide you through using all the resources available "to the trade," from looks for draperies, carpeting, indoor or outdoor all the choices you'll need to make. Our experienced the finest flooring and lighting, to complete kitchen living, Robb & Stucky is the place for new ideas! installers can deliver the comfort of an expertly and bath design, to exquisite furniture, accessories We show you how to update your look to create renovated home. As always, at Robb & Stucky, and window treatments. a style you'll love! we promise you'll be inspired. FREE SEMINAR: Moroccan Fashion for your Home and Wardrobe FREE SEMINAR: Stanley Furniture with Dion Thornton Thursday, March 17 at 10:30am Thursday, March 24 at 10:30am Robb & Stucky Design Consultant Da\id Payne welcomes local designer Julie Olsen. Join Dion Thornton, a Senior Territory Manager from Stanley Furniture Company, Inc. and Come see her colorful display of original fabrics and clothing. Drawing her inspiration Design Consultant Joni Middleton, as they explore the quality and value of the Stanley furniture from the colors and textures native to Morocco, Julie has a spectacular array of textiles product. Dion will provide us with an educational background of Stanley furniture, and then to add character to any home or wardrobe. Join us for an exhibit of her unique collection as an added bonus, we will tour the showroom while Dion shows you the quality of Stanley's of clothing and fabrics. Call early for reservations! unparallel selections. Seminar space is limited. Please call our seminar hotline for reservations at 239-437-6959, ext. 267. Events are subject to change. Bonita Springs Interiors Bonita Casual Living • Outdoor Fort Myers Casual Living • Outdoor Fort Myers Interiors 3181 North Bay Village Road • (239) 949-3001 26501 South Tamiami Trail • (239) 390-2222 14380 South Tamiami Trail • (239) 415-0800 13170 South Cleveland Avenue • (239) 936-8541 Showroom Hours • Mon thru Sat 10am-6pm • Sun Noon-5pm • Or by Special Appointment FREE Delivery to 28 Florida Counties • Low Price Guarantee • Financing Available • Professional Interior Design • www.RobbStucky.com Six months same as cash with your Robb & Stucky card. See store for complete details. ISLAND REPORTER • Week of Mar. 10-16, 2005 • 3 Johnston says goodbye City to receive award for hurricane work to Planning Commission By KEVIN DUFFY [email protected] By KEVIN DUFFY [email protected] Hurricane season is a mere three months away, but Sanibel is still being recognized for its performance under Councilwoman- fire during last year's hellish stretch of storms. elect Carla Johnston The island community will be honored for making its waved goodbye to citizens aware of hurricane threats and for its outstanding the Sanibel Planning effort in coping with their aftermath during this year's Commission this National Hurricane Conference, to be held March 24 in week, but she won't New Orleans. go very far. The city will receive the 2005 Outstanding Johnston, the for- Achievement Award for Hurricane Public Awareness dur- mer commission i ing the 27th annual conference, said Stan Tait, president of chair who garnered the National Hurricane Conference, based in Tallahassee. the most votes Singling-out Sanibel for top honors was an easy choice, March 1 in her quest he said, as all of Sanibel's governmental entities seemed to to secure a council come together in preparing for Charley's visit Aug.