Pirate Playhouse Sanibel Community 1 88 If B M Association Comedy Night Wednesday
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Price leaves Sanibel Arou 'Dinner-set page 3 isEaods burglars strike page 16 JANUARY 7, 1998 VOLUME 26 BER 1 ISLAND LAUGH-IN SET "This proves Harrity and I have been friends since our childhood," H Resignation letter/page 2 tive at the close of the Jan. 5, 1999, says Steve city council meeting," Madison Greenstein. A com- By Gwenda Hiett-Clements wrote. "The past three meetings puter-generated News Editor have resulted in a personal loss of photo of Marty peace and joy, adding unnecessary Harrity and Sanibel City Councilmember stress to our lives. It is wise to Greenstein illus- George Madison resigned his post avoid potential, health-threatening trates Greenstein's Tuesday. Madison, who was serv- activities. In good conscience, I addictive sense of ing the third year of his first term cannot continue to serve on a body humor. He said he on the council, brought his letter of I no longer respect, feeling they talks all of his resignation to the Island Reporter lack integrity and self control." friends into partici- following the council meeting. Madison declined further com- pating in the spe- "I have chosen to resign my seat ment. cial-effects photos on the Sanibel City Council, effec- which were" taken P> See Madison, page 2 in Las Vegas and will do standup comedy along with Walt Hadley at the Pirate Playhouse Sanibel Community 1 88 if B m Association Comedy Night Wednesday. For complete derails and a preview of jokes, please See isSew director hiregl; Zwiclc buys motel page 10. By Jill Goodman wide hunt to replace former director Staff Writer Robert Cacioppo. Special to the Reporter Robert Kalfin was hired with a Breaking the silence that has three-year contract last year but was prevailed since the latest shakeup at asked to leave by the board during the Pirate Playhouse, Jack Zwick, his first production, "Androcles and A cold North wind blows in president of the Island Theater the Lion." Wing board that runs the non-profit "We worked out an agreement m Related column/page 6 actually in the middle 50s. theater, announced that an interim with Kalfin," Zwick said. "He will Wednesday morning was the coldest, with tem- artistic director has been hired. leave after directing 'Eccentricities peratures hovering above freezing and the wind Zwick also said he purchased the of a Nightingale.' We will be pay- By Dawn Grodsky chill making it feel like the upper 20s. Palm View Motel on Donax Street ing part of his salary for the balance Editor The cold front, part .of a massive weather system from the Island Theater Wing of the season." The first cold front of the new year swept that brought more than a foot of snow to the because the theater could no longer Midwest last weekend along with tornadoes in the Zwick claimed that Kalfin through Southwest Florida this week, bringing cool afford it. deep South, arrived on the islands Sunday night. breached his contract in many temperatures that felt even colder because of the Interim director Ralph Elias areas, including not paying atten- wind. At 1 p.m. Tuesday, the temperature gage at The front brought a gusty, 15 to 20 mph north- west wind that had islanders digging out their arrived on the island Tuesday and tion to cash flow, not watching the Sanibel Fire Station No. 1, which also records wind had been on the short list of candi- budget and finances, and not chill, read 43 degrees, according to district'admin- t> See Wind, page 4 dates last spring during a nation- > See Playhouse, page 4 istrator Mary Hickey. Daytime highs Tuesday were Hit and run of TRAFFIC FLOW turtles on rise By Jill Goodman Staff writer On an island that is famous for protect- ing wildlife, a shocking number of turtles are suffering in hit-and-run incidents. Care & Rehabilitation of Wildlife staff veterinarian P.J. Deitschel said, "In the early part of November we literally got a turtle in every single day that was hit by a car. I've never seen that many in my life." Deitschel believes these animals are being injured as a result of the increase in seasonal visitors, speeding cars and lack of compassion. "I thought, 'We have to do something about this. There is no excuse for hitting a Sanibel police add manpower to keep traffic flowing turtle.' These animals, a species of special on the island during the incredibly busy holiday week. concern, are not running in the road," she Officers were posted at the Tarpon Bay Road and said. , , Periwinkle Way, and at the Donax Street and Michael Pistella Passionate in her anxiety, Deitschel Periwinkle, intersections and routed traffic along the evacuation route. For the full story, please see page 9, P.J. Deitschel examines the "miracle baby," a t> See Turtles, page 8 turtle recovering after being hit by a ear. 2 • JANUARY 7, 1999 Q (SLAND REPORTER Madison: Council has lost From page 1 harmony one! public purpose A special election for Madison's replacement will be However, Brown said he understood Madison's deci- held within three months. sion. "If it makes you that unhappy and it affects your (Editor's note: Here is the compJ^"*** of George Madison's resignation follows the resignations of City quality of life ... I know it was making Nancy unhappy. I Madison's resignation letter V"Omitted to the Island Manager Gary Price and Assistant City Manager Bill Ivlills think we're not all hitting at the same time and still need Reporter Tuesday eve"»<& following the city council in December, which were preceded by the election of two some team building. There are dysfunctional families, meeting.) newcomers to the council in November along with the his- businesses, governments. They can all be helped." toric, first-time loss of an incumbent. Mayor Wally Kain Interim City Manager Bob Pritt, pproximately two years ago, 1 was lost his post to Steve Brown and Nola Theiss, who took named to the post after Price proud to be elected to the Sanibel City office just before the turmoil began. announced his resignation, was caught Council. My sole purpose for running Reaction to Madison's resignation from his fellow unawares. was to volunteer public service to all . coiincilmembers and city officials ran the gamut of emo- "I'm dumfounded and too much in the citizens of Sanibel. I hold firm in tions. , .:•• shock to have a reaction at this point," my belief in the truth,of Mother •Councilmember Andrew Reding — he said. Teresa's words: "We can do no great things, only small who was often at odds with Madison Councilmember Theiss was more things with great love," The council appeared to be a and Kain, and at whom some have complacent, as was Mayor Bob Janes. graceful, well mannered pointed the finger for Price and Mills "I'm sorry to hear it. I do think body devoted to a service leaving — said, "I was truly surprised things have been going well. I think ethic. It was a perfect fit. to hear about this at the conclusion of a today was an especially positive meet- Initially, the council day in which I thought, and I know ing. We made a lot of strides," Theiss was a rewarding experi- others did, that we were beginning to said. ence: issues were artfully work very well together as a council. In Janes said, "I'm sorry that he's presented and reasonably fact, all but one of our votes today leaving. I thought he was on his way to debated in a peaceful were five to nothing, and that was being a good councilman. He was manner by a kind, govern- because we really took care to work A. Redirag beginning to learn the political and mental body. Sanibel citi- things out." governmental ropes on Sanibel. I wish zens were well served. Reached at his home Tuesday him well in his future endeavors." Recently, the council evening, Councilmember Brown said Pritt explained the city charter dic- has lost all sense of har- he was aware of Madison's planned tates that if more than six months mony and public purpose. resignation. "I'm so sad about it. He's remain on a resigning council mem- In my view, it is dominat- my best friend. I was looking forward ber's term and no regular city election Bob Janes ed by public manipulation George Madison to being oh council with him. I took is scheduled during that time, the council will appoint a and Machiavellian plot- the office right next to him. successor on an interim basis. A special election must be ting. Some members seem to be dedicated to embracing "This is a tremendous loss. But all held between 60 and 90 days. Pritt indicated legislation to change and discarding SanibeFs traditional values. you can ever do is do the best you can call for an election will be on the next council agenda Jan. After a number of conversations with my best friend and press on. I'm sad Gary is gone. It's 19. — my wife, Nancy — I have chosen to resign my seat on going to be a tough grind." gteve Brawn (Pattie Pace contributer information to this report.) the Sanibel City Council, effective at the close of the Jan. 5, 1999, city council meeting. ' The past three meetings have resulted in a personal loss of peace and joy, adding unnecessary stress to our Bodge! comsniffee gets OK lives. It is wise to avoid potential, health-threatening By Poiiie Pavtt e a i li e i activities.