Democratic Club Formed on Sanibel
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Between Friends shop opens — See page 1B Charges against police officer SANIBEL P Lat> •t\\ »• VOL35,NQ.8 TUESDAY, FEB. 20,1996 2 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES 50 CENTS Democratic Club formed on Sanibel Interim president says island group will be 'active' and 'comiited' By Jimmy Espy Islander Staff Writer Making sure their concerns are heard at every level is one of the main reasons for the formation of the Democratic Club on Sanibel, according to inter- im President Dorothy Newman. Newman, a Sanibel resident since 1983, was elected president at an organizational meeting last Traffic on the week. islands is in fuil seasonal swing, The gathering also saw the club take initial steps as evidenced by to become officially chartered by the Democratic the long lines at Party of Lee County and the Democratic Party of the tolfbooths, Florida. above, and at the "We had almost 50 people at the meeting and intersection of there was a lot of enthusiasm," Newman said. "We Periwinkle Way expect to be a very active, very committed group." and Causeway She added that one of the primary goals of the Road, left. club was to "see to it that the people who represent us, do represent us," emphasizing the club wanted to Photo by have an impact on decision making in the KATHLEEN BLASE Democratic Party "at the county, state and national level." Newman acknowledged that Sanibel is a Republican stronghold, but emphasized that there is a sizeable, though not always vocal, group of Democrats as well. Newman said she "doesn't judge people by their political party" and loves living on the island, but believes strongly the Democratic Party best repre- Traffic woes part of island life sents the "socio-economic interests of most of our people." By Anne Bellew dling island traffic. "We place one access point to the island, Other officers elected at the meeting included Islander staff writer police aides at those intersections there really isn't much more we John L. Smith, vice president; John Friedman, trea- "We'll probably do what we where we feel they will do the can do. surer and Winnie Donoghue, secretary. always do — wait patiently until most good in moving the traffic "The city has put turn lanes in At the club's next meeting (March 7, 7:30 p.m. at the cars in front of us move," was during so-called "rush hours". But the only feasible places, we don't the Sanibel library) members will vote on permanent Sanibel Police Chief Lew Phillips with only one main road running officers. response to a question about han- the length of the island and only See TRAFFIC, Page 10 Islander earns first in regional science competition n i, By Anne Bellew move to the three-day statewide competi- determine the range of salinity in which Calendar Islander staff writer tion in Orlando in April. this relatively unknown mussel can sur- 14 After winning third place overall in the Dunbar offers a full-time gifted pro- vive. Classifieds 22 Dunbar Junior High School Science Fair gram for middle school students with "These mussels filter and purify water," this past December, sixth grader and accelerated courses in all subjects. said J.P. "They have the potential of mak- Op/Ed Page 8 Sanibel Elementary graduate, J.P. Children have to test into the program. At ing those bodies of water that are clouded Murdock, had his science project selected present there are nine former Sanibel with pollution and algae clear again and Police Beat 10 for the Thomas Alva Edison Regional Elementary students in classes at the capable of supporting the marine life that Fishing Lines 6 Science Fair in February. school. is the basis of the food chain." Competing against 6th, 7th and 8th Murdock's winning entry in the zoolo- J.P.'s project was suggested by Marine This Week 2 graders who were winners in 13 different gy category was named False Zebra Habitat Foundation Executive Director, categories at their own middle schools in Mussels Salinity Survival Range. It con- Mike Calinski, who was curious about What's Playing 21 the three-county district, Murdock was sisted of the study methods and conclu- chosen as one of I 2 junior winners to sions from two months of research to See SCIENCE, Page 10 Tuesday. Futf. IDER" Tuesday: Feb. Charges dropped against Dalton Enjoying the weather A helping hand By Anne Bellew testimony of arresting officer has to place the Islander staff writer officer Sgt. Ron Scheall . person behind the wheel Drunk driving charges Scheall said he fol- for certain. In our DUI against Sanibel police lowed Dalton on arrest reports on Sanibel, officer William Dalton McGregor and observed that unequivocal state- have been dropped by him speeding and cross- ment must be included. the state. ing the center lane — a As I said, he never Dalton was charged point questioned by both denied driving; he denied with driving under the Dalton, who said there that he was anywhere influence by a Lee was no vehicle behind near drunk." Lenten Breakfast at Sanibel County Sheriff's deputy him on McGregor, and Dalton said in his after he pulled into a gas the clerk in the gas sta- internal affairs testimony Congregational Church station on McGregor tion who said the deputy that his impression was Feb. 21 Boulevard on his way was parked, as he was that, as soon as the home to Cape Coral on frequently during the deputy found out he was Christmas morning. He The Sanibel Congregational United Church of early morning hours, in a Sanibel officer, the tone Christ will sponsor a Lenten breakfast in the had' been off duty since 7 the adjacent shopping of the whole incident church's Fellowship Hall at 8:30 a.m. on Ash p.m. Christmas Eve. center parking lot when changed from one of "ID Wednesday, Feb. 21. "He did not deny Dalton pulled in. check, verification and The public is invited. Following a continental drinking several hours Scheall also omitted send me on my way" to breakfast,a program will be conducted by Dr. earlier in the evening. He from his testimony that "Sanibel cop? this time Randall H. Niehoff, senior minister, and church did not deny being Dalton first made a pur- we're not going to miss member Tina Hillebrandt. Photo by Kathleen Blase unable to find the rest chase and then returned the chance." "Hillebrandt will present a skit to focus on rooms and, in fact, uri- to his car before "using" "You never shake the setting aside time to officially mark Lent as a nating in the bushes,'* the bushes. fact that you've been period of study and reflection," said Dr. Niehoff. Stan Hoch and Lynn Lewis check over tax return numbers as part of said SanibelPolice Chief the the American Association of Retired Persons' program which Prosecutors were dis- arrested," said Phillips. Mary Hagemann, chairman of the Christian Lewis Phillips. "And his turbed at the inconsisten- "It's always there. I'm Education Committee, said children and families offers free assistance with tax filings. Locally, the AARP representa- license was restored by tives are working out of the Sanibel Library. cies in Scheall's testimo- satisfied that Bill was not will be welcome. She requested that non-mem- BDI (Bureau of Drive ny, which also included driving drunk and, obvi- bers planning to attend notify the church in Improvement) for lack of advance at 472-0497. For members there is a confusion as to whether ously, the state is satis- Photo by Kathleen Blase evidence well before we Dalton had actually been fied on that point. sign-up sheet at Fellowship Hall. even started our investi-- driving or whether his Needless to say, it would A trio of brown pelicans bask in the sunshine Wednesday. The birds were resting on Lawmaker proposes tax changes gation." girlfriend had been be better if it had never a bridge buffer near the causeway. The decision to drop behind the wheel. happened, but we can't TALLAHASSEE Many of the major "It's the folks who have the charges against "Dalton never denied he change the fact that it Guest speaker slated (AP) — A state lawmak- industry lobbies in the the most money who Dalton came after wit- was driving," Phillips did." er wants to make it easier state support Starks' bill, have the most to gain nesses contradicted the said, "but the arresting for Feb. 26 at St. Isabel for taxpayers to challenge saying it will provide from this." property appraisers. But fairness. Bill Markham, proper- Kathy Miller, the Executive Director of Right Detecting child molestation; opponents say his bill "Right now for a ty appraiser in Broward City tries out new sound equipment to Life and president of the new Lifeline Family won't help ordinary property owner to contest County, said the bill By Anne Bellew appointed the standing Veenschoten and Levy); Center will be the guest speaker at the Feb. 26 homeowners — just big an assessment on their could have a devastating Islander staff writer committees for the year: and Permitting Process meeting of the Women's Guild of St. Isabel Knowing what to look for businesses and wealthy property tax, the playing impact on the tax rolls in You might not like Capital Improvements Review Committee Church of Sanibel Island. The meeting will be at individuals. field is tilted almost verti- many counties. what they say at city hall, (Levy, Louise Johnson (Johnson, Slayton and 9 a.m. in the church hall. By Lew Phillips At stake is an estimat- cal for the property "This is an industry but at least you should be and Deana Turner); Veenschoten).