Former CourKilnKin Charles LeBuff candidly looks at the City's past ai^ 33957 OR OCTOBER 14,1999 SANIBEL&CAPTIVA, FLORIDA VOLUME 26, WEEK 42 NUMBER 43,24 PAGES 75 CENTS NEWS Delayed Stress Arguing Dark Skies... all day By Amy Fleming business owners are of only average Staff Writer income. Commissioner Phyllis Bogen The Sanibel Planning Commission, responded, saying that the owners of after more than six hours of debate and shopping centers spread costs equally passionate public testimony, voted unan- among all the businesses, so that no one Roseate Spoonbill imously to continue hearings on the pro- is required to spend a large sum of posed "Dark Skies" ordinance to its Nov. money. Ann Joffe of She Sells Sea Shells B Wildlife 9 meeting. At that time, members of the disagreed, saying that since her business- commission will discuss and vote on rec- es are not in shopping centers "my costs Conference ommendations for changes to the ordi- won't be shared, this is an expense I A major national con- nance before sending it to city council. don't need," adding that she had recently ference with many The meeting was well attended by spent a significant amount of money to residents and business owners concerned come into compliance with the latest Sanibel speakers is Michael Pistella coming to Fort Myers. with the proposed ordinance, with sever- sign ordinance. Anna Swann of Island — See page 2 Sanibel Police aide Dennis Florie directed traffic al objections raised. The cost of replacing Management Group felt the commission Monday afternoon. It's only mid-October, but already existing fixtures came up frequently, needed to consider Sanibel's visitors, M We Need A traffic is backing up on Periwinkle Way. The Sanibel with estimates given in the range of hun- saying that many of them donate time People's Park! Planning Commission on Tuesday opted to wait for dieds of dollars to several million and services to the island, and that "these City Manager Ed Sealoyer's recommendations on Sanibel businessman Danny Melknan people pay over 1 billion in taxes to Lee Dick Muench lobbies said it was "a problem for small business County, - they should have a say." for the creation of a "island stress," which includes traffic problems, before proceeding with hearings on the subject at a owners to constantly make changes." mid-island park foi while others pointed out that many small t> See Skies, page 4 children, and lor large later time. events — See page 3 By Pattie Pace Commissioner John Manning who Pete Inghain, president of the fed tide News Editor has said he doesn't plan to run for Ding Darling Society voiced his Sanibel Mayor Bob Janes took reelection. support. bloom his first step toward a Lee County Janes said it's premature to dis- "As soon as I heard he was con- A red tide bloom Commission seat Monday, when he cuss issues, but he thinks his peers sidering running, I talked with Bob killing fish and causing - named islander Ted Tyson, a retired and constituents see him as some- and told him I thought it was mar- respiratory problebis in< ' Air "Force officer and coordinator one who will listen to all sides of a velous and I was delighted and Charlotte Harbor ends at for the Angel Flight program, as his debate. would personally give him the Boca Grande Pass just campaign treasurer and filed a can- Initial reaction from islanders strongest support I could." Ingham north of Cayo Costa, didate's statement confirming that appears to be supportive. said, pointing to the benefits of according to the Florida he understands campaign contribu- Mike Billhemier. owner of the Janes' years of experience in local, tion and expenditure laws. To date, Lighthouse Cafe and president of state, county and federal govern- Marine Research Institute ment. in St. Petersburg. No dead he's the only candidate vying for the the Sanibel-Captiva Islands Cham- fish or foul smells related post. ber of Commerce said Janes' busi- "We need a voice on the county to the bloom have been Between now and January 2000, ness experience and record serving commission with so many things Janes will name a campaign manag- on the city council would make him critical to the island really decided reported from Upper Michael Pistella Captiva, Captiva or er and begin fundraising for Seat a good candidate, though he stopped Sanibel. 'This is the time No. 2, currently held by County short of an official endorcement. t> See Janes, page 4 Bob Janes of year we often do have problems, so we're hop- ing it stays up north," Natural Resources Center Director Rob Loflin said. —See Regional Ne'\ s. PS 5 opens Refuge's new Center for Education — built with- donations and no tax dollars — opens to the public this Saturday; Beat ihe Experts! Interior Secretary Bruce Serena Major won the $50 prize in the Island Babbit may attend. Repoiter's college and professional football con- By Anne Bellew test Staff writer — See page 13 When the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society's new Center for Education opens on Saturday, Oct. 16, marking the end of National INDEX' Wildlife Refuge Week and "Ding" Glen M. Wood of Jericho, Vermont, took first place in the "Ding" Darling Society's annu- Darling's birthday, it will signal an •Regional News. ...page 5 al amateur photography contest with his stunning photograph of White Pelicans at the •Police Beat, ...page 6 Refuge. The first place winner will receive a gold sand dollar pendant and chain from amazing accomplishment for the •Looking Back.......page 8 Congress Jewelers. J.N. "Ding" Darling National •Business ...page 9 Wildlife Refuge's non-profit coop- •Commentary ...pagell According to John Carney, Contest Coordinator, this year's contest was the largest in the eiating association or Friends •Sports/Outdoors.. page 14 Society's history — 109 entries from 25 states plus Germany and Switzerland. The final Group. Although the 1982 Visitor •Island Life ..page 15 submission date was Oct. 1, and judging took place on Oct. 6. Judges included Lisa Center was built with public hinds, •TV listings.... ..page 16 Forsyth, Norm Honest, Charles McCullough, and Carney. The winning artwork and one every piling, every board, every •Classifieds ..page 20 entry from each photographer will be on display in the Center for Education beginning this weekend through the month of May. t> See Refuge, page 4 2 • OCTOBER 14, 1999 • ISLAND REPORTER Major environmental conference comes to town Looking at how we watch watching wildlife in the "Ding" Darling for lay people. She's very down to earth; she refuge, and with that increased pressure come talks about how children need to be connected To register wildlife: Attention focuses on a number of challenges to protecting the natur- to nature and how we plant our gardens and Conference registration, which includes Southwest Florida during nation- al resources that draw the visitors. The focus yard affects the whole planet." the reception and four meals, costs $249, al conference will be "how we can better educate and take Other events that lay people probably One-day registrations for Wednesday, care of these people while they're at our public would find interesting are some ol the pre-con- Thursday or Friday are available by calling lands," he explained. ference field nips to Rookery Bay National Royal Palm Tours at (800) 296-0249 or Wildlife viewing is reported to be the fastest Estuary, J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife (941) 368-0760. For a full conference Special to the Reporter growing recreation of the decade, an $18.1 bil- Refuge, CREW, and such workshops as brochure, call FWC's office of lion industry with 48 percent of all American "Revealing Nature: Interpretive Writing Informational Services at (850) 487-0516, Professionals in land management and vacations including "nature-based experi- Workshop" or "Wild Spirit Singing Space is limited. tourism from Sanibel to Saskatchewan will ences," according to the FWC. "With the Workshop." gather to discuss common concerns next week growing economy, there's the possibility of a in Fort Myers at the National Watchable lot more use of our natural areas. It's real Wildlife Conference. Participants will be able Topics appeal to the "Ding" Darling important to start now to do that in a sustain- Wildlife Society will dis- to learn more about Southwest Honda's envi- able and ethical manner so people can enjoy ronment through trips throughout Southwest cuss "Starting a 'Friends' natural areas in the future," said Ellen business, arts Group: What Works with Florida, including Sanibel and Captiva. Lindblad, director of the Corkscrew Regional The conference nans through Friday with a •This is the National Watchable Wildlife a Collaborative 501 (c)3;" Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Land and myriad of presentations, workshops, and panel Linda Logan, general Conference, not just a Water Trust. "I think it's just a really good discussions covering an array of topics from state conference," said manager of the Sanibel opportunity to bring people together from balancing tourism and protecting resources to Inn, is scheduled to speak Lou Hinds, manager of around the country - see different initiatives the ethics of viewing birds and marine mam- the J.N. "'Ding" Darling on "Sanibel Inn: Green and how different people deal with wildlife mals, developing nature-based businesses, and Hoteliery;" Chip National Wildlife Refuge, issues." putting art to work for wilderness. Hoffman, president of the one of the scheduled It is a forum to exchange ideas and infor- Scientists and entrepreneurs will be among Rogers Tarpon Bay Recreation speakers. "It's not just mation for "anybody interested in dealing with the presenters from throughout the continent, Inc., will focus on locally important; it's wildlife or the environment," Lindblad said.