Mcspoil Continues Mcattack
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
m^^^m^i^i^mmmSK^^m^^m^^&mx FEBRUARY 26, 1993 VOLUME 22 15904 125 I 01 SUN 1 00/00/00 NUMBERS"? 4 SECTIONS, 52 PAGES 2401 LIBPAPY WAYIBEL LlBRAPY 3 3 957 SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA, FLORIDA McSpoil continues McAttack By MaryJeanne McAward Staff Writer More than 300 people attended a town meet- ing Tuesday night sponsored by McSpoil, an island group determined to stop McDonald's from coming onto the island. McSpoil leaders exhorted the standing room only crowd to help stop commercial de- velopment along Periwinkle Way, beginning with McDonald's. McSpoil co-chairman Dick Walsh stated McSpoil's aims: first, that no McDonald's be built in Sanibel and second, if the restaurant is built, that it not have a drive-thru. People were vocal in their statements and queries, which were answered either by Walsh or other McSpoil members. The room at the Sanibel Community Center was filled with About 400 people enjoy the benefit concert, YbeS Resort, featuring the Danny Morgaat McSpoil supporters', no one spoke In favor of "CROW on the Beach," last Sunday at Casa Band. For complete details, please see.page IB. McDonald's. • please seepage 2A .County Cat-op election begins . Candidates differ on impact of Consumer Coalition By Caroline Nylen Last, year, only one of the slate of Coalition- Special to the Island Reporter endorsed candidates—Carolyn Moore—was In a few days, Lee County Electric Coopera- elected. This year, after endorsing three can- tive customers will cast their ballots to decide didates, "we're running to win it," Casey said. Lehigh Acres district whether it really is the squeaky wheel that Can the group carry enough votes to win its Incumbent: Tom Drake, current board presi- gets the grease. favorites a place on the board of trustees? dent. Ballots were mailed yesterday, Thursday, "It's a question of how much of an impact On board since 1974. Current founding direc- February 25, to the Co-op's more than 120,000 we've made," Casey said. tor of Heritage National. Bank. customers in Sanibel, Captiva, Pine island, The Co-op's 10 trustees serve three-year Cape Coral, North Fort Myers and other areas terms and are elected by the Co-op's member- Challenger: Don Slisher, former, eight-year? the utility serves. " ship—its customers. county commissioner before resigning in an When the election returns for the three Although last year's slate included some unsuccessful bid for state house. Currently an board of trustees seats in contention are an- candidates* who found their way to the ballot engineer for Barbot Steuart & Assoc. Endorsed] nounced, on or before March 22, the by filing petitions, this year's candidates were by Consumer Coalition but not a member. | controversial Consumer Coalition activist all selected by a nominating committee. group could end up with three candidates it This year's elections will be a first in one North Fort Myers West I endorsed on the board—or find itself with no way: after a bitter controversy and allegations Incumbent: C. Belle Morrow. Was elected •as| representation at all. of election fraud, for the first time, votes will petition candidate three years ago. Has run| Some trustees call the Coalition the not be counted by the Co-op but by an inde- her own insurance business since 1964. |] proverbial "squeaky wheel," saying that its pendent contractor, the Bank of Boston. complaints get a lot of attention but that the A Lee County Sheriffs office report issued Challenger: Hal Stevens, attorney practicing] group represents only a handful of consumers. in December stated that investigators had locally since 1978. Endorsed by Coalition but Coalition members say their small core of ac- found no evidence of fraud. not a member. i tive members has the support of thousands of Drake said he stands by the work done by customers. Co-op members and employees to tabulate Challenger: Truman Green, now retired, Board president Tom Drake, who is up for election returns in previous years, calling the worked for 27 years as manager of Jefferson1 re-election this year, has nothing good to say charges "an insult." City, Mo. Electrical Co-op. ; about the Coalition. A target of much of the Casey, however, said that despite the sher- group's protest during the last several iffs report. Coalition members remain skep- Challenger. Daniel D. Becker, has worked] months, he has been caricatured in Coalition tical about the fairness of the election sys- with NASA and on projects with utility com-"; cartoons as a corporate tool trying to bulldoze tem—even with the Bank of Boston handling panies. ) his way past Coalition concerns. the returns. "I wish I knew what the Coalition is after," "There is some concern still about the bal- he said. "I can't get one thread of an idea. I lot count, but it's better than last year," he North Fort Myers East I can't understand the cartoonery—it's adoles- said. Incumbent: Carolyn Moore, a Consumer; cent," Drake said. Trustee Carolyn Moore, the board's lone Coalition member. On board for one year. Ex- Although the group may have made a name Coalition member, said she will keep a close ecutive director of Serenity Center. for itself, it does not have the support of many eye on this election because she too remains Challenger: James Dozier, general manager of customers and its endorsement will not much skeptical about the last one. David C. Brown Enterprises, (a farming opera-^ influence this year's election, he said. In spite of the sheriffs investigation, tlon). Retired In 1985 from 35-year military. "I don't think they're going to have an im- Moore said, "I think that's a load of rotten career as a two-star major general. ; pact of any significance," Drake said. potatoes. Something stinks." However, local entrepreneur John Casey, a The Coalition has endorsed three candi- AN members vote Jor all districts. Ballots Coalition founder, said that support for his dates this year: incumbent Moore and new- must be returned by March 11. group's goals goes far beyond the 300 active comers Don Slisher and Hal Stevens. members. • please see page 2A MCATTACK • from page 1A One of the first questions was posed by a development between Boca Grande, which he permits in the summer, when fewer people re- • man who asked when protesters could become stated had committees like McSppil 20 years side on the island. Fewer residents mean less CO more "militant" In their objections to the ago, and Fort Myers Beach, which he said wel- resistance, he said. proposed restaurant, beyond petitions and let- comed all manner of commercial develop- Walsh also advised McSpoil supporters to ters, ment at that time. watch closely if the city relaxes parking regu- Walsh stated militancy might take the form He also mentioned the City of Palm Beach, lations for the proposed restaurant—what he of parading around the San Carlos Bay Drive which he said has undertaken efforts to de-in- called an ominous sign. 5 home of Fred Frederic—who would be the tensify development and commercial use in At the close of the meeting, McSpoil leaders cc noted they plan to interview police depart- an owner of the Sanibel McDonald's and, inci- downtown areas. , uu dentally, did not attend the meeting—and Adler said in Palm Beach, many individu- ments regarding problems in areas surround- u. picketing Frederic's other restaurants in Cape als will give money to the city for a specific ing McDonald's; talk to neighbors of the a Coral. purpose, such as buying commercial land. He restaurants in various areas regarding nox- ious odors and litter and keep the pressure on U Walsh also stated Frederic has given Mc- urged people In Sanibel to do the same; to buy Spoil his unlisted, home phone number. land on Periwinkle Way before it is built. both elected officials, Frederic and the Mc- o Walsh added he would distribute to anyone He also noted parts of the redwood forests Donald Corporation. D. who wants it. McSpoil officials report they have raised LU in the Pacific Northwest were preserved in DC Contacted Wednesday, Frederic stated this manner—with individuals buying up more than $12,000 and plan to continue their Q although he may have given his telephone small chunks of land. attack. number to one or two members of McSpoil Other speakers noted If Eckerd Drugs— months ago and invited them to talk, he said whose parking lot borders McDonald's land he had no intention that the number be pub- and, according to Frederic, may work with the Dominos applies lished or given to anyone who wanted it. restaurant in positioning a drive-thru—does McSpoil co-chairman Dick Walsh opened Another man told all in attendance to not cooperate, McDonald's may have a more the town meeting Tuesday night with the news speak to Sanibel City Council members difficult time either getting a drive-thru or that Dominos Pizza has already met with "without mincing words" and tell all of them building the restaurant. Sanibel officials regarding opening a restau- they will be single-term candidates if they ap- Another speaker suggested a way to miti- rant on the barrier islands. prove McDonald's. gate damage to the island from excessive use Wednesday, Sanibel Senior Planner Jean A woman said bumper stickers, which read might be to limit the number of cars coming Isley confirmed applications for a condi- "McDonald's—Welcome to Paradise," have onto Sanibel. tional-use permit and a variance for a Domi- been observed on the barrier islands.