Cape Coral Daily Breeze
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Batter up North Fort Myers CAPE CORAL goes down — SPORTS DAILY BREEZE WEATHER: Partly Cloudy • Tonight: Partly Cloudy • Thursday: Mostly Cloudy — 2A cape-coral-daily-breeze.com Vol. 48, No. 39 Wednesday, February 18, 2009 50 cents Florida report: School district misused funds “While we respect the auditor’s authori- $3.6M loss if bill is not passed ty to interpret statute and examine our financial records according to their By MCKENZIE CASSIDY trict money unless a bill can be money from its capital account to interpretations, we do not agree with the [email protected] passed that expands the definition cover its $19 million computer finding related to our two mill funds.” A report released by the Florida of capital expenses. upgrade. Auditor General this month found State law requires the school Florida statutes contend that — Superintendent James Browder a significant deficiency in how the district to use ad valorem taxes for computer software purchases are Lee County School District man- capital outlay projects or purchas- not listed under allowable capital ages funds from ad valorem taxes, es including construction or main- purchases, although in October paying for personnel time and con- may lose $3.6 million from its something that may cost the dis- tenance, but according to the audit 2007 the school board approved sultant costs with the funds. operation account — used to pay in 2005 to 2006, the district took purchasing the software, as well as As a result, the school district See REPORT, page 6A Authorities seek two in Key West boat homicide Seen driving vehicle of missing Cape man By CONNOR HOLMES ing investigation. [email protected] The people of interest were Monroe County Sheriff’s pulled over by police in deputies are looking for a man and Tennessee Thursday, driving a woman they have coined “people 1999 Mercury Marquis belonging of interest” in a homicide discov- to Richard Jean Gardner, 57, who ered Friday aboard a missing was reported missing Friday to Cape Coral man’s boat in Key Cape Coral police, deputies said. West. Gardner also was the registered MICHAEL PISTELLA Police had not yet confirmed owner of the boat where the slain the victim’s identity or the manner body was discovered. in which the victim was killed The two lacked identification Enjoying the weather Tuesday evening, citing an ongo- See SEARCH, page 6A Jade Harrison, 10, talks with and swings alongside her grandmother, Teresa Stevens, as they spend some after-school time at Jaycee Park on Tuesday. County planner Elevator mishap extends jury pushing tourism, selection in Gateway killings retirement in Lee If a full jury has not been selected, the court can take from a pool of about 120 potential jurors scheduled to Expect trial to be at the court, Walent said. The full trial will be held in St. Petersburg. Staple industries for “That sounds like a plan,” Reese said after long dis- cussions on the matter. last 2-3 weeks Cooper, 30, is charged with two counts of first- degree homicide and one count of armed burglary in area should be noted By STEVEN BEARDSLEY the killings of Steven and Michelle Andrews in Special to the Breeze December 2005. By GRAY ROHRER So much for a quick jury selection. Prosecutors say Cooper was jealous of an affair [email protected] “I wouldn’t sacrifice (the The start of Fred Cooper’s second trial in the dou- between his longtime girlfriend and Steven Andrews. In the past year, government offi- tourism and retirement ble homicide of a Gateway couple was supposed to His first trial, in October, ended when a Lee County cials in Lee County and Florida have industries) for anything move smoothly in St. Petersburg, far away from the jury failed to reach a verdict. seen revenues from property taxes else.” Lee County media thicket. Tuesday’s setback came when potential jurors saw plummet along with property val- Instead, the court lost a full day when the possibili- Cooper in handcuffs, said Sgt. James Bordner, ues, leading many to call for bring- —Wyatt Daltry, ty of a tainted jury pool moved Judge Thomas S. Reese spokesman for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. ing in other industries so there is not Lee County planner to dismiss the pool, three hours into the selection Near the end of a late morning recess, Pinellas an overreliance on construction. process. County deputies were escorting Cooper from his hold- However, one Lee County plan- planner Wyatt Daltry, has long been No jurors had been selected. ing cell down the hall to the courtroom when a nearby ner warned not to overlook the sta- a proponent of “smart growth,” The process will begin anew today in a new setting, elevator door opened. Inside were several potential ples of the local economy — something he says began in 1950 the Pinellas County Criminal Justice Center, in jurors, all moving from the lobby back to the court- tourism and retirement — as the that the county is still trying to Clearwater, where a new jury pool will be assembled room, where they were being questioned for jury selec- area grows. implement today, despite economic from those in other cases. Nancy Walent, the jury tion. “I wouldn’t sacrifice (the tourism troubles. manager for the court, said she expects to gather a pool The door — one of two on opposite sides of the and retirement industries) for any- One factor of the harsh economy of 65 jurors. Those who are cut will return to their elevator — was supposed to be locked down from the thing else,” Wyatt Daltry said that could hinder growth is the mas- original pools. public. Tuesday after speaking to the Fort sive national debt incurred in the On Thursday, the trial will return to St. Petersburg. The encounter could be considered prejudicial for Myers Republican Women’s Club. past 30 years, Daltry said. See TRIAL, page 6A Daltry, father of Cape Coral city See GROWTH, page 6A Sanibel woman named Citizen of the Year Robbie 20 area nominees whittled down Roepstorff, cen- ter, pictured with By DREW WINCHESTER As the 21st recipient of the carry on her legacy,” Roepstorff Lee County com- [email protected] award, Roepstorff is “honored” to said. “I did not know her, but I’ve missioners and The Paulette Burton Citizen of carry on the legacy of Burton, heard of her and her legacy ... it’s an other nominees the Year award has been given to though the two never met. honor.” for the Paulette Sanibel resident Robbie Roepstorff, Burton was a longtime resident Burton was a watchdog, a citizen Burton Citizen of lauding her efforts as the chairper- of Sanibel Island, having settled activist who was a mainstay at coun- the Year Award. son for the Lee County Horizon there before its incorporation in ty commission meetings. She passed 1974. Council and president of the away in 1991 following a car acci- DREW Horizon Council. “It’s overwhelming to win and to See AWARD, page 6A WINCHESTER ATAGLANCE AROUND THE CAPE NEWS OF NOTE WHAT’S INSIDE Neighborhood group to meet 14th Annual Strawberry The Southwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Annie’s Mailbox......14A Nation ................8A Association will meet at 7 p.m. today at Oasis Festival planned for Cape Fla. Lottery The 14th Annual Strawberry Festival Cape Life ..........7A Obituaries ..........2A Charter Middle School, 3415 Oasis Blvd. CASH 3: Guest speakers are Councilmember Bill Deile, will be held from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. March Classifieds ............1-8B Police Blotter ....2A 2-8-8 / 9-2-3 who will discuss the city’s budget, and Bonnie 14 at Diplomat Wesleyan Church, 1833 Comics ............10A Sports ........11-13A PLAY 4: Timberlake of Housing Development, who Diplomat Parkway E. Admission is free. 8-5-2-7 / 9-3-3-2 In addition to strawberry treats, the fes- Crossword........10A State ..................3A will address the usage of state funds to build Fantasy 5 Cape homes. Call 540-4651. tival will feature children’s activities, Dr. Donohue ......14A Today in History ......9A 11-19-20-28-34 skits by the Acts4Him professional act- 14-35-41-43 MB 11 ing team, vendors and entertainment by Editorial..............4A TV Listings..............9A Lotto Classes canceled at the 10-member Doerfel Family playing Horoscopes......14A Weather ............2A 8-12-19-26-34-45 bluegrass music. A pancake breakfast Florida Powerball Four Freedoms Park kicks off the festival at 8 a.m., followed 2-8-9-33-45 All classes at Four Freedoms Park, 4818 PB 5 x 5 by the children’s activities from 9 a.m.- Tarpon Court, are canceled today-Friday so 1 p.m. The cost for a children’s activity new flooring can be installed. The main office ticket is $5. For information, call 656- will be open from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. for registra- 4424. 7 48445 46010 1 tions. For information, call 574-0804. Page 2A Wednesday, February 18, 2009 cape-coral-daily-breeze.com CAPE CORAL DAILY BREEZE OBITUARIES Thomas Hauver served in Vietnam and special Survivors include his wife, Fayetteville, Ark., with Coral Hospital Auxiliary, Thomas Hauver, 72, of projects, such as his proud Ester Hauver; sons and daugh- Chaplain Jeremy Gorline offici- Widows United and the Prairie Grove, Ark., passed involvement with the B-2 ters-in-law, David (Christina) ating. Burial will be held in the Epiphany Church Women. away suddenly Sunday, Feb. bomber. of Burbank, Calif., Thomas National Cemetery in She is survived by her 15, 2009, in Albuquerque, He served our country in its (Rita) of Sylmar, Calif., and Fayetteville, Ark.