Lawyer Sentenced for Attempted Swindle of Tahitian Gardens Owners
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ISLAND EYES: FEATURES: ARTS: Columnist keeps CoGonut Grove The lights are searching for the restaurant turns burning at the green flash.,. 4A 30... 1B playhouse ... 1.0B 1961-1987 Still first after 26 years. VOL. 26, NO. 49 TUESDAY, DEC. 8,1987 TWO SECTIONS, 60 PAGES 50 CENTS Lawyer sentenced for attempted swindle of Tahitian Gardens owners By SCOTT MARTELL sentenced to 11 years probation, they are glad not to have to think about arrested on July 11,1986, after a 1-year islander staff writer ordered to pay $8,000 in fines, and will the situation any longer, investigation by three state law en- likely lose his license to practice law. "I think it (the sentence) could have forcement agencies. ^pormer manager of Sanibel's Tahi- He must also perform 150 hours of com- been more," said Vivienne Synder. "It Bowerstock was sentenced last tian Garden's Shopping Center, who munity service for each year of his should be tough enough so that they Wednesday for exploitation ot the was charged last year with attempting probation. couldn't get (swindle) more people." elderly, recording a conversation and to swindle the elderly owners of the $2.2 The owners of the center, William Bowerstock managed the center with unlawfully selling stocks. He pleaded million shopping center, was sentenced Snyder, 79, and Vivienne Snyder, 76, partner Robert Pellegrino, a Fort no contest to the charges Oct. 23, last week. aren't sure that the sentence against Myers mortgage broker, from May 24 Terry Lyn Bowerstock, 36, was the Ohio attorney is tough enough. But through Dec. 15, 1985. Both men were Please see SWINDLE, page 2A Sanibel voters join .county in nixing 1-cent sales tax By BARBARA BRUNDAGE Islander staff writer Sanibel voters joined other Lee County resident*. in; resounding turndown of the proposed additional i-ceir1: sales tax that would have provided $25 million iv >WU to fund major county-wide capital improvements 40 percent voter turnout on Sanibel was the higher in the county, according to the Election Supervisor ; Office. The turnout county-wide was 3(5 percent. 875 (63 percent) of the 1,385 registered voters who went to the polls last Tuesday voted against the tax increase. Captivans supported the hike by a vote oi 7K to 49 The additional sixth cent in the local sales tax was defeated by a 2-1 margin by county voters. Sanibel city fathers did not take an official position but would have welcomed the additional income u* fund some capital improvements, they said. The county had promised that some; of the revenw from the extra penny tax on sales would he used to ex pand the Bowman's Beach facility on Sanibel. The men from the Gulf Coast Center greet Santa. Photo by Ricki Kosakow Cooper Had the penny increase been approved, the City Council was prepared to lobby for an increase in Sanibel's share from the 1 percent the county propos- ed under a formula based on the Island's year 'round %Lions club brings Christmas spirit population of approximately 5,000 residents. The council would have asked for 5 percent •- the to hearts of Gulf Coast residents same amount the city now receives from the local gasoline tax — using „„___„. By SUZETTE BEIGEL his parents, Elinore and Bob Dormer, and the population figures and in- Islander staff writer rest of the crowd in their wait for Santa's eluding seasonal arrival. residents. Patrick walked past the decorated table full Patrick was one of 23 men from Gulf Coast Sanibel residents of food, past the loud crowd and past the Center, a state home in Fort Myers for the Paulette Burton and Bridge scores 12B Henry Shelton, active in Christmas tree and headed toward a woman. mentally retarded, who arrived at the City news —ISA He led her onto the beach and out to the pier to Dormers' home at 11 a.m. last Saturday, Dec. the Tax Fact Committee Classifieds 31B show her San Carlos Bay. 5, for a Christmas party. Unincorporated After a few minutes, he returned to the par- Each year, for the past 11 years, the Homeowners Association Ftsh_|ngjlgs__ 20B ty with the woman, a staff member of Gulf Dormers have hosted a party for those from of Lee County, were Pigskin picks 25B Coast Center, and seemed more aware of his Police beat 8A surroundings. He let go of her hand and joined Please see GULF COAST, page 18A Please see TAX, Sports shorts 15B page 2A Swindle Continued from page 1A Pellegrino was sentenced May 25, that each man came to the office to men to manage the center for the the Florida Division of Alcoholic 1987, to seven years probatation. He complain about his partner. Snyders. As managers, the two men Beverages and Tobacco, and the was fined $7,000, and lost his brokerage In May, 1985, the two men had per- were to collect rent and give the money Florida Comptroller's office. license. He received a lesser penalty suaded the Synders to execute a deed of to the Snyders. They were also respon- The center was turned back for testifying against Bowerstock. trust transferring title of the shopping sible for the' upkeep of the center. The the Snyders Dec. 15,1985. At the time of his arrest, Pellegrino center to Alpha Assets Trust, which state attorney's office charged that the "I try not to think about those pro- told The Islander he was outraged at was operated by the two men. Snyders did not receive any money blems (the attempted swindle) the charges, and that it was he who Pellegrino was the hands-on from the men, and that the center was anymore," Vivienne Synder said. "1 «5 brought the problems to the attention of manager, starting the Tahitian allowed to deteriorate. think they are over. That place £1 the authorities. He said his only goal Gardens Restaurant, while Bowerstock The arrest of the two men on July 11, shopping center) is just my CD 1986, took place after a full 1-year in- place." U had been to help the Snyders out of a just sort of "disappeared," Pellegrino <p vestigation by the state attorney's of- Q bad mortgage situation. told The Islander last year. The state attorney's office reports The trust agreement entitled the two fice in Fort Myers, in conjunction with Tax Continued from page 1A elated at the outcome of the election. Goss said that without the $25 million, dozens of More taxes are not necessary to fund future capital See related story, page 14 A county projects may have to be cut. improvements, they contended. But at a special meeting last Thursday the cor In a leaflet distributed at polling places last Tues- sioners requested further revenue projections day, the tax fact committee charged that $14 million in residents would wind up paying 7 cents on the dollar if the county staff before making any decisions revenue from gas taxes has been sitting in the bank in- this local sales tax were approved, Burton pointed out. ting capital projects. stead of being used for road projects. The group County Commissioner Porter Goss, a Sanibel resi- Sanibel, Cape Coral and Fort Myers may be asked to charged that the funds were left over because of the dent, said he was not surprised at the defeat. adopt road impact fees with the revenue allocated to Department of Transportation's inability to get pro- Uncertainty about the possible increase in the state road projects necessary to accommodate growth^ jects done. sale tax, plus confusion about the service tax issue Mayor Mike Klein, a supporter of the tax, saic In light of the possibility that the state will levy a may have been responsible, he speculated. of support may stem from the fact that people We're 1-cent increase in the current 5-cent sales tax to In a case like this the easiest thing for a tax payer to not sure whether the money would really be used for replace the controversial tax on services, Lee County do is vote no, he added. capital projects. TAKi TWO and only two if you have to take any live shells from Sanibel's shores. fc^^ /undid SRNIB6L ISlflND TU CLUB HOUSE « RESTAURANT « LOUNGE » REC PROGRAM « 2000' PRIVATE BEACH » 5 POOLS » 13 TENNIS COURTS OUE BEDROOM ground floor A-1 club suite in "J" 'SEW There are not many of these around .- building. Just walk out to the beach. Whether you one bedroom, one bath, living room and full kitchen want to spend your winters here or have a good ren- with a gulf view. Coupled with Marquis Hotel and tal apartment with occasional owner use, this unit Resorts professional management, it's a winning will fit the bill. Call Robin Humphrey, combinationl Asking $146,500. For an appointment REALTOR/Associate for appointment to view, even- to view call Robin Humphrey, REALTOR/Associate, ings 472-6632. 472-6632 evenings. 10 DIFFERENT FLOOR PLANS • 5 ONE-BEDROOM/ONE-BATH 2 TWO-BEDROOM/TWO BATH 3 TWO BEDROOM/TWO BATH WITH CONVERTIBLE DEN JUST THE RIGHT SIZE-Two bedroom, two bath THE PilME OF SUNDIAL Gulf front two WHY r.:»Y C«337,009when you can buy the apartment with garden view that combines com- bedroom, two bath with wraparound balcony and floor plan in what some people think is a nice fortable living area with affordable maintenance convertible den. This luxurious third floor apart- location for just $259,000 and have a cabana in- fees and taxes.