New tax laws Perfect presents page 17A page 1B DECEMBER 19, 1997, 1997 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 6 and 3 SECTIONS, 52 PAGES HTER Developing not an option ... SCCF enters into option to purchase York Island By Gwenda Hiett-Oements of adjacent Coconut Island. This is the Staff Writer largest single acreage acquisition pro- The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation ject eveR taken on by SCCF. Foundation (SCCF) has entered into an Erick Lindblad, executive director of option agreement for the $225,000 pur- SCCF, said, "I am extremely excited. chase of York Island, approximately 220 acres, and approximately 20 acres •please sec page 2A ar SCCF hopes to keep the pristine shoreline of York Island looking just Tinsel, greenery, twinkling1 lights, and holiday spirits wore in as it does now for future generations. A marine map shows the size 1 and location of York Island in Pine Island Sound. much evidence on the evening of Monday, Dec. 8, as 12 elaborately lighted and decorated boats wound their way through the Shell Harbor canal system. The boat parade, sponsored annually by the Sanibei-Captiva Power Squadron, featured Santas, reindeer, and costumed boaters who sang and shouted Christmas greetings to Reporter signs Workman spectators along the route. The parade terminated at Grandma Dot's where a capacity crowd Islander follows in Growing Native, the definitive text enjoyed a very festive holiday buffet, and prizes were awarded for about landscaping with Southwest the best decorated boats. Winners were: first place - "Water Music" family footsteps Florida plants, originated with his owned by Tom and Beth Gillis; second place - "Peddler" owned by weekly columns for the paper. Her Jim and Mary Hock; and third place - "No No Nannotte" owned by 'ennifer Workman, a lifelong mother, island attorney Judy Matt and Nanette Marciano. resident of Sanibel, will join Workman is a former City Planning the staff of the Island Reporter Commission member. Photos by Saul Taffct Dec. 22. After graduating from The remainder of her immediate Cypress Lake High School in Fort family lives in Myers, she attended Southwest Florida as Florida State University, well; her aunt and where she earned a B.A. uncle, Susan Holly and in English with a minor Mark Twombly, as fate in education in 1995. would have it, both After "surviving" a were Island Reporter year of teaching high staffers in the '70s. school English in Workman revels in the Cocoa, she decided to chance to follow in pursue her dream of their footsteps. becoming a journalist. When she was offered "I was excited to hear about the position free-lance writing and at the Island Reporter," photography assign- Jennifer Workman Workman said. "The ments by Gulfshore Life chance to write full- magazine, she eagerly accepted so time doesn't come along every day." she could return to Sanibel to be near her family. To date, she has written But that's not the only reason the about island caterer Mozella Jordan, job sounded good to her. "Ever since Tarpon Bay nature guide Dan I could remember, the Island Underhill and Purdue University Reporter has been the island paper. I punter Danny Rogers, son of City like the idea that it was born and Planning Director Bruce Rogers. grew with the city. I want to be a part of that continuing evolution." Singing in the season Her father, Richard Workman, Among other things, Workman directed the Sanibel-Captiva Students at the Sanibel Elementary School celebrated the start of Conservation Association (SCCF) will cover city hall for the Island the holiday season with a special Holiday Recital at BIG Arts. Led for seven years and is a former Island Reporter. Look for her byline begin- by Val Parker, the second-graders, above, sang out to a family- Reporter columnist. His book, ning next week. packed audience at the Schein Performance Hall. See story and photos page 10. Q Islander creates charitable organization; donation total $17,268 in three years By Gwenda Hiett-Clements ed $6,700 to two deserving recipients. Staff Writer In three years that is a total of $ 17,268. It doesn't bother Ken Boyce when Boyce explained that all money must he is called a "fossil" at age 53. In fact, be spent on island for cases of hardship he is proud of it. or tragedy. Money must go for necessi- Boyce is the founder of The Fossils ties such as pending bills, not extras. of Sanibel, a charitable non-profit "The island is not immune to hard- island organization, whose purpose is ship'and tragedy. And few civic organi- to donate 100 percent of the money zations have the power to donate to an contributed by its members to individu- individual. That is what separates our als or organizations on the island. organization. We have the flexibility to Fossils began as Boyce's idea three give to individuals." he said. years ago. He said, "In May of 1995 Members of Fossils receive sugges- while I was on a trip, I heard of a simi- tions from community churches, the lar group program. They had a 1,000 Sanibel police, the housing department, members with a board of directors and other organizations and individuals for paid administration. I thought ... how those who would benefit from financial much could it cost to ran this? I believe contributions. in my heart that everyone wants to "It's a community network," Boyce Gwenda Hiett-Clements give. But many times you don't know said, "We decide how the money is what money goes to the recipient. In given out based on a vote of the mem- Ken Boyce representing The Fossils of Sanibel, a 100 percent non- profit organization, presents the organization's 1997 contributions to this group one-hundred percent of the bership, If 80 percent of the member- Jack DeVaney representing FISH and to Randy Carson (not pictured). money goes to those on the island in ship votes for one person or group, the Other Fossils members in the background are Dick Muench, Jim need." decision has been made to give 100 Stevens and Larry Thompson. Richard McCurry, far right, is the orga- "There are 33 anonymous members. percent to that concern. If the vote is nization's representative at Community Bank of the Islands. It is not run by egos. These people are split, the money is distributed based on total givers," Boyce explained. the voting percentages. Each member's Community Bank of the Islands han- Boyce handles the administrative In the first year the organization vote determines the outcome. It is fair dles the group's account and signs all work and pays the operational expens- gave $5,240. The second year $5,328 and equal; there is no discussion, no checks. As part of its civic contribu- es. There is no board of directors. Each was given. This year the Fossils donat- group swaying of opinion." tion, the bank charges the organizations •please see page 7A no fees. YORK ISLAND:Contributors will help raise the $220,000 necessary for purchase were recently issued per- •from page 1A Woodring Point and look absolutely beautiful. We has already put down vide a rich nursery to the northwest and were there three hours, $5,000 as part of the ground for marine inver- mitting housing construc- To set aside that large a there it is!" Lindblad and we only covered one option agreement with tebrates such as shrimp tion on adjacent 4.2 acre tract is remarkable!" said. fifth of the island," he the trustee representing and many species of Crescent Island. The islands are locat- "On our site inspec- said. ownership, listed as the commercial and sport Lindblad said, "I am ed in Pine Island Sound tion when we walked up The option agreement Masco family irrevocable fish," Lindblad said, equally excited about any between'Sanibel and St. to the beach, two bald gives SCCF six months trust. The family pur- "And, the waters around land acquisition we have. James City on Pine eagles flew up right in to raise the remaining chased the island acreage the two islands are The Foundation views Island. front of us. That's $220,000 necessary to in 1969. reported to provide some land acquisition as the "Just go stand at enough for me! It is purchase the land. SCCF Although SCCF's of the best fishing only sure and fair way to land-acquisition funds around." protect open space and are currently depleted, Conservationists' wildlife habitat for cur- Lindblad explained that awareness of the need for rent and future genera- THINKING ABOUT BUYING the Foundation decided protection of the islands tions." to take this step in faith in Pine Island Sound was realizing that the health heightened when permits and productivity of Sanibel-Captiva's estu- Weather ary, Pine Island Sound, is High Low Rain HAL ESTATE? dependent on the protec- Dec. 11 79 67 tion of pristine mangrove Dec. 12 78 68 Look for a real estate and upland natural sys- Dec. 13 75 64 -2.0 , _ professional who's familiar with tems such as those on Dec. 14 65 57 2.7 f York Island. Dec. 15 61 50 .5 the local waters. Lindblad added, "We Dec. 16 70 50 Charlie Sobczak is the are all dependent on the Dec. 17 75 51 right choice. health of the estuary and Rainfall for December so far is 7.6 inches com- "TOP LISTING AGENT" with the Calooshatchee River. pared with 1.8 inches for the entire month last PMR for 1988-89-90-91-92-93 All are related to our year.