LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POUR IN FOR BOTH CANDIDATES: SEE OUR EXPANDED OP/ED PAGES - PAGES 8-11 Final EAR hearing held, next to City Council — see page 4 Since 1981 Still first on Sanibel and Captiva islands VOL. 34, NO.44 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1995 2 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES 50 CENTS Bailey and Walsh face off Celebrating Girl Scouts COTI pledges support ularly on the state of the weirs. Both candidates believe the existing to Walsh following system has proven to do what it was intended to do, but they also agreed that Candidates Night the city should take a close look at the By L Rom Jr. system and look at the 3.2 water level at Islander editor Tarpon Bay. Walsh attempted to assuage fears that Before more than 250 spectators City he was anti-business, and promised he Council Candidates Francis Bailey and would resign his position as co-chair of Dick Walsh faced off at the Sanibel McSpoil, the group determined to pre- Community Association last vent McDonalds from opening on Wednesday. Sanibel. Walsh and Bailey, speaking at The Bailey and Walsh, it is clear, dis- Committee of the Islands (COTI) agreed, at least prior to Wednesday's monthly meeting, followed a one-hour Candidate's Night, on the future, or how discussion led by City Manager Gary it should be managed, of Sanibel. Price. Walsh The candi- endorsed the dates fielded use of a vision questions from statement to the audience help direct and for about 90 regulate the minutes. city's growth, Bailey, stating that when intro- r e s idents duced, reiterat- should find ed his desire to security in a keep things plan that out- "short- and Dick Walsh Francis Bailey lines where the sweet," city will be in He told the crowd that though he five, 10, 15 years. may be "a little rusty" after a three -year He disagreed with Bailey's con- layoff, he would do a good job for the tention that Sanibel would do alright to community as he had in the past. manage itself through a sense of "what Walsh, a virtual unknown until his is right." 1992 race against former City Bailey, however, clarified his state- Councilwoman Daphne Miller, took the ment about his "intuitive sense" on the Islander photo by L. Rom Jr. opportunity to introduce himself to future of Sanibel, and said what he real- Girl Scouts from Sanibel and Captiva Islands took time out to recognize those unfamiliar with his views. ly meant was that common sense and a the founder of Girl Scouts this past week at a birthday party at Sanibel He also set the record straight on a sense of the people's wishes should Elementary few "misconceptions" as he called guide the city in decision making. them, and a few "misunderstandings." Concerning Below-Market Rate One of the misunderstandings Walsh Housing (BMRH), Walsh clarified his addressed: The critical letter to local stance on that, one that had raised con- Candidates answer questions newspapers from Miller, who accused cern from supporters of the program. "I am against density increases," Walsh and his supporters of acting with What would you propose to Walsh: No changes should be "tactlessness and intemperance." Walsh said, "but I will follow the law." And the law allows for certain density improve traffic flow during the sea- made in our current scenic roads since "I believe what she meant was that I son on Periwinkle Way? any attempt to alleviate traffic flow was passionate ... and I assure you I will increases regarding the future of BMRH. • Bailey: For the immediate future will result in further increases in traf- serve you with passion," Walsh told lis- continuation and expansion of the traf- fic. teners. As the room grew warm and the crowd a bit listless, Walsh, in summing fic officers at all critical points noted. Since Lee County owns both the Bailey, who kept his pledge to keep it I do not favor stop lights. Further causeway and the road into Sanibel, short, and Walsh — who consistently up his hopes and desires, drew a loud laugh and applause when he said: "I study to ascertain if bus service from we cannot raise talks or impose addi- stood up and played the crowd a little, Punta Rossa or the Chamber of tional tolls to enter or exit Sanibel. agreed on a number of things — partie- leave you with two things before I go ... shop Bailey's — but vote Walsh." Commerce parking lot would be eco- Accordingly, the city should seek to Bailey, wrapping up the evening, nomically feasible is an an option. cooperate with Lee County in a trial reminded the crowd of his long-time We should encourage the use of program to increase tolls during peak commitment to Sanibel and promised to bicycles and expand and improve the traffic periods with possible reduced "serve the interests ... and to protect the bike path system. tolls in off-hour periods. Arts & Leisure 16 future of Sanibel. Perhaps a pooling system of work- Calendar 14 ers coming to the island could be Should there be any further Classifieds 21 COTI came out for Walsh following implemented. increases in the number of units in the discussion. Both candidates will ,/ Hitch a ride with a neighbor on the the Below-Market Rate Housing Commentary 8 continue to meet with the public at less way to the beach or the theater could (BMRH) program? What's Playing 20 formal gatherings. be encouraged. When driving, have Election day, Nov. 4, is seven days patience and courtesy.' It will save our 12 What's Cooking? away, : blood pressures. See CANDIDATES;:, page 2 ™rr r* "*- > 2 THE ISLANDER Tuesday. Oct. 31. 1995 Obituary Tuesday. Oct. 31 1995 THE ISLANDER 3 Dalton Family singers to entertain Committee; 8of 11 not interested in Police Chief position William S. Walters Sr. Sanibel Community Association By Anne Bellew • Ability to deal with the public. tion in the various task forces — DEA, "What skills have I used most? William S. Walters, Sr., (Captain U.S. Army, Islander staff reporter Sanibel is used to a high level of ser- the Sheriff's Department Operation Well, on Sanibel you don't really need In November the Sanibel have with them and demonstrate their home in Skowhegan, Maine. Ret.) a long-time resident of Sanibel, passed away vice with courteous, consistent treat- CLEAN, the DARE program, and oth- political skills because the chief is Community Association will fea- many indigenous folk instruments Al is a former New York State Sunday, Oct. 22, 1995. He was 77 years old. At their second meeting the Police ment. ers. responsible to ihe City Manager. ture a performance of folk music which they have either built them- music teacher and Marcia has He was born Dec. 27, 1917 in Charleston, W. Va. Chief Review Committee received • Understanding the necessity of Training needs to maintained at the Probably the ability to get along with by Marcia and Al Dalton. selves or collected on their travels always played the piano. and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Corps - 7th notification that eight of the 11 officers being only one department of city gov- levels presently in place, including in- him and the other department heads The Bonita Springs couple will around the world. They have appeared on televi- Airdrome, 13th Squadron, Pacific theater - for all of qualified to replace retiring Chief ernment. This department head has to service workshops, etc. In other words, should be listed as a skill ... another il sion, before service clubs from would be to get the message down We love to travel," Al says, World War II. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Richard Plager were not interested in be a team player with other department I think we need to hold what we've got Maine to Florida, at festivals and and continue working to make Sanibel through the ranks that we are all work- "and we always find wonderful Bronze Star, and Purple Heart with two oak-leaf the position at this time. heads. The chief's (or any other depart- state fairs, and in over 200 ele- ment head's) relationship with the City a safe place to live." ing together toward one goal. music wherever we go. In fact, clusters. He and his family came to Sanibel in 1973. Three officers — Assistant Police Corrections just before we appear on Sanibel, mentary schools throughout east- Chief Lewis L. Phillips, Commander Manager and staff has to be one of fair- When questioned about what he "Perhaps the most important would we're going to the Yucatan to ern United States. John P. Terry and Commander John R. ness and loyalty. found most stressful in, say, February, be leadership ability," he continued, The couple has four children, Steve was a member of the Sanibel Police Primm, had applied and provided the When asked what issues the new Plager listed the following; "personal interaction with fellow offi- It is the policy of The explore the Mayan excavations Department, Masonic Order, Sanibel-Captiva all of whom are performing musi- committee with extensive background chief would need to be ready to deal cers, citizens, other staff members and Islander to correct any and try to get a handle on the Kiwanis and was a well-known independent busi- errors or omissions in pre- cians. information. with, Plager listed, first, the new com- • Prevention of breaking and enter- the media. music made in that part of the ness owner. Being a role model and father figure to vious editions as quickly as world." The meeting is on Nov.