Candidates Gearing up for Election by Erik Burriss "But Not Without Leadership," She Said
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The island's newspaper of record ' Business Expo page 12A Week of November 26-December 3,2003 SANIBEL&CAPTIVA, FLORIDA VOLUME 30, NUMBER 47, 36 PAGES. TWO SECTIONS 75 CENTS Candidates gearing up for election By Erik Burriss "But not without leadership," she said. Managing editor "Leadership that rises above rhetoric and S,t • -<r"- partisanship and ideology." It seems like she's just about every other Veterans have expressed concern to her job in state and local politics, now Betty about the way they have been treated, she Castor wants the Senate seat that will said. While in the process of visiting every become vacant with the retirement of Bob Veterans Affairs hospital and clinic in Graham. Florida, she has learned it takes six months Castor was the guest of honor at a Nov. or longer for a veteran to get a primary care 15 lunch hosted by the Democratic Club of appointment. the Islands at the Helm's Club in South Fort "I think this is an opportunity for the Myers. 30 minute speech. Democrats to say we will treat you better," ' v ;H- .;. She got her start in politics almost 30 Castor said. '"We will take better care of years ago as a Hillsborough county com- you." missioner. Since then, she has been elected While the recently passed veterans care to the state Senate — where she was the bill sounds good, she said, it will take 10 first woman president pro tempore — and years to put in place. served in the Cabinet as education commis- Similarly, Castor said the Reserve and sioner. In 1993 she became president of the National Guard forces in Iraq are not receiv- University of South Florida. ing the same benefits as the active-duty sol- "She's had so much impact in many dif- diers despite taking the same risks. ferent areas," said club member and long- Castor also said that despite Republican time friend Robin Krivanek rhetoric to the contrary, Social Security Erik Burriss photo That impact began with the Peace Corps needs protecting. Young people feel the-y Senate hopeful Betty Castor talks with local Democrats following a Nov. 15 iunch in East Africa, following President won't get a dime from the program, she and fundraiser hosted by the Democratic Club of the Islands. Kennedy's advice to "ask what you can do said. for your country." "Remember when we had a surplus That contrasts strongly with her thoughts once?" she asked. "I want to restore that on the current administration, with which, Social Security trust fund and make sure she said, she agrees on nothing. that those funds are where they should be, Candidates for House President Bush's policies have cost the and that they can't be used for short-term United States the respect of much of the purposes." world, she said. When Kennedy was assas- Florida also has vulnerabilities — with seat crowding the field sinated, her African.students lined up to pay it's many ports and long coastlines — to ter- their respects to her as an American, she rorist threats. The federal government is not , By Donna T. Schuman ."The people of the 14th district said. meeting it's responsibilities. Staff writer deserve 10 be represented in "We were a beacon tor the world, espe- "I'm probably the only Senate candidate Washington by someone who .-.hares ially for these developing countries," who has experienced, first-hand, the need As the 2004 election draws near, our mainstream conservative Castor said. "We've lost thai position, we've for increased information sharing from law Sanibel, faces the departure of one of Republican values in the mold of my ost some of that high ground." enforcement agencies, when I was president its own from the Congress. father and Congressman-Porter Goss," As a senator, Castor pledged to work f'or of the University of South Florida," Castor Rep. Porter Goss — also the Mack said in a statement on his cam- he state. said. island's first mayor —announced his paign website. ,'. • ,• "I will ensure that the needs of Florida She spent several years trying to work retirement from the seat he has held Mack promises to fight for the prin1 are heard in Washington," she said, includ- with federal and local agencies to do some- since 1988 earlier this year prompting ciples of less taxes, less spending, less ing keeping the off-shore oil drilling ban in thing about Sami Al-Arian, the USF profes- several local politicians to campaign government and more freedom. place, supporting the Everglades, real clean sor arrested in February on terrorism-related for the spot. One candidate who is no stranger to air standards, and maintaining security for charges. In October, a Southwest Florida public service, is Andy Coy. Currently, seniors. "It was impossible to create a concrete native announced his candidacy for the Coy serves as u Lee County commis- The federal government can also do bet- case against Mr. Al-Arian, until after the seat. Connie Mack IV. currently a state sioner, but spent several years as a er for schools, health care coverage, sup- Sept. ll attack," she said. "There is no ques- representative for Fort Laudcrdulc said teacher and principal with the Lee porting the military, having a smaller deficit tion that I will be a leading voice in the that running for congress is the right and balanced budget, and protecting the Senate when it comes to intelligence and ihing for his family and the principles See RACE country from terrorism while keeping civil ensuring increased communication between that they share. page 3 liberties, Castor said. agencies." New Island Reporter ENVIRONMENT page 19A Volley for a Sundial owners Living Christmas poster ready for signing cause appeal trees REALESTATE page IB Mark your calendars, it's almost December and that can ;Hope Hospice Tourney • Claim condos are being ' Ron Sympson has a i LOOKING BACK page 5B mean only one thing — the new Island Reporter Ikki ••results : assessed too highly ; ^couple of suggestions for ! Matsumoto posters are coming. OPINION page 6A [trees you can decorate, : This year's poster signing will be Dec. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at —See page7Bi ', —See page 2BJ ;then plant , ; the Matsumoto Gallery, in the Village Shops on Periwinkle BUSINESS.. .....page 12A Way. I —See page 7Bj DATELINE. page 8A Matsumoto has been designing posters for Island Reporter subscribers for 20 years. The son of a book illustrator, he TV LISTINGS page 14A See POSTER CLASSIFIEDS.. page 11B page 2 •i, Design • Installation • Maintance • Tree Work 3889 Sanibel Captiva Rd. BEAUTIFYING SANIBEL & CAPTIVA Phone: 239-472-1370 Sanibel Island, FL 33957 ISLAND REPORTER • Week of November 26-December 3 •3A 2A • Week of November 26-December 3 • ISLAND REPORTER CITY • COUNTY • STATE RACE County elections office Committee looks at designs From page 1 prepared for balloting Thanksgiving County School District. healthcare committee. Donna T. Schuman by the National Association of State Construction costs, however could Coy describes himself as a compas- "Any major healthcare legislature that Staff writer Election Directors,' but are not affiliated County attorney examines possible ultimately decide the-design of the new closures sionate conservative with similar ideals has happened in the last 6 years, I have with any manufacturer, state authority bridge. Wingard repeatedly informed Sanibel City Hall offices will be closed to that of former President Reagan. intimately been involved with," Green As another presidential election or county elections official. Following Sunshine Law issues the group that some design elements in observance of Thanksgiving Day, Nov. With the belief that citizens tax rates said. approaches, hope for redemption from the independent testing, the system may not fit into the budget. 27 and Nov. 28. The offices will re-open are too high, Coy said he will support As chairwoman of the appropriations the chaos of 2000 may be in the minds undergoes additional tests by the Donna T. Schuman on Dec. 1. efforts to lower those rates. committee, Green also handles veteran's of some Florida voters. Department of State's Division of Staff writer In response to that, committee member Vincent Wolanin suggested an All garbage, recycling and vegetation "I am in favor of doing away with the issues for the state. With the replacement of voting sys- Elections. increase in tolls to pay or the new waste collection by Florida Recycling capital gains tax and continuing to do Green has been married for 25 years tems throughout the state, those voters One test, Carr said involves a con- As the Causeway construction project progresses, the Services scheduled for Thanksgiving Day away with the inheritance tax," Coy said. to Jack Green. After years of vacationing may just get what they are looking for. trolled pre-test of the system in which county must examine ways to make the aesthetics of the new structure. "Another 25 cents in tolls to get a will be one day later. If your normal pick- The pro-life movement is also impor- in Lee County from Illinois, the Greens Prompted by the Help America Vote the public can participate. bridges more appealing for residents and visitors to the up day is Thursday your waste will be tant to Coy. He vows to fight very hard to decided to become permanent residents Act — requiring every U.S. county to Security is a major issue with any islands. good bridge design is a no-brainer," Wolanin said. "If we build something picked up Friday and one day later the protect the rights of the unborn and the in 1986. provide at least one touchscreeen voting election.