AUGUST 12, 1999 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 32 28 PAGES f:-V -159GO€O1OG64O9*CAR~RT SORT R003 """ ' - U SANlBfct LIBRARY d • "(10 O^NLOP KD 33957 SANlHfcL Ft .JORTER GOSS TALKS TO KIWANIS East end home invasion suspect remains at large By Pattie Pace Staff Writer An unidentified man entered the Lindgren Boulevard home of Sanibei woman in her 80s last Saturday and, after tying her hands and feet with a plastic-coated wire and placing a towel over head, fled with approximately $5,000 in jewelry and cash. According to Commander John Terry, the woman was quickly able to free her hands and call police. Officers Jane Cechman and Dave Jalbert arrived on scene within minutes of the call and found the woman in the bedroom. She was bruised and cut from being tied up, but otherwise not physically harmed, according to Terry. The burglar used a stick to poke the woman, but was other- wise unarmed. The officers searched her home and canvassed the neighborhood but could not find the intruder, described as a white male, approximately 40 years old, 5 feel 10 inches tall with a slender build and scraggly, blond chin-length hair. He wore a long-sleeve shirt with faint multicolored thin stripes, long pants, dirty brown work shoes with thick soles and loose untied laces, according to a police press release. » — * • Michael 1'iotdlu Police are asking anyone .who saw a man matching that U.S. Representative Porter Goss listens to a question at the Saiiibel/Captiva.Kiw:a*jiis, CJwb, •""'ctescrlptidn or i suspicion car-in the area of-Lindgren weekly breakfast at the Island House where he was the speaker. Goss spoke about national and international politics. For more photos, see page 15. t> See Ploine invasion, page 4 A DUNN AFFAIR Lightning strikes Sanibei Serving pizza at By Jill Tyrer quick-thinking bystanders rushed to his aid. the Island Cinema When a thunderstorm came up Wednesday Sunday at a bene- Special to the Island Reporter afternoon, Aug. 4, Garab was among the fit performance of A lightning strike at Bowman's Beach beachgoers fleeing Bowman's Beach "The Thomas that left a Georgia man in the hospital around 3:30 p.m., said Capt. Rich Crown Affair," for served as a sharp reminder that Florida's Dickerson of the Sanibei Fire Control Helen Dunn are summer storms can be deadly. District. But as he neared the restrooms, a Shelly Kaplan, Neil Garab, 49, was in good condition lightning bolt hit a tree, then arced over and owner of Island Tuesday, said a Lee Memorial Health hit Garab as well. A father and son from Cinema and System spokesman. Texas immediately started CPR on Garab. Barbara Silvers. That's probably because a couple of The event raised > See lightning, page 3 nearly $6,000 which will be donated to Dunn REC CRITTERS for medical expenses. For details and photos, please see page 13. Jill Goodman Schnapper's in violation of city codes By Pattie Pace violated Sanibel's Land Development Code Staff Writer and parking restrictions, meticulously cal- culated to prevent overcrowding on the Schnapper's Hots customers who some- island. A 1994 case was won against owners times dally and plop down on benches to when the business was known as Isabella's enjoy a quick bite will instead have to eat in Pizza. their cars or someplace off site, now that a Hearing Examiner Salvatore Territo imposed a $100-per-day fine if the viola- Photos IMichaetPistella Lee County Hearing Examiner has ruled in favor of the city in a code-enforcement dis- tions aren't corrected and stopped prior to AT LEFT: Herpetologist John pute, Monday, Sept. 6, that will remain in effect Storms of World of'Reptiles brings "This is about the third time that we've until the violations are brought into compli- his reptile show to Sanibei Summer had the same problem at the same location ance. Rec for the 11th year. Here he and and we were pretty sure that would be the "I hope they will come into compliance volunteers put Sally, the huge retic- result," City Attorney Bob Pritt said. by the deadline," Code Enforcement Officer ulated python back in her box. Unless an appeal is filed within 30 days, Ray Hendzel said. "I will be checking." Schnapper's must remove all benches from Tim Murty, attorney for property owners ABOVE: A prairie dog sits on the the property, except two outside the take-out Paul and Phyllis Douglass and business- shoulder of Caribbean Gardens' restaurant. owner Vincent Chairmonte, could not be Mark Quinn. For more photos, see The city claimed that on-site dining and reached for comment. During the hearing, page 17. parking to the rear of the business complex t> See Schnapper's, page 5 2 • AUGUST 12, 1999 Q ISLAND REPORTER Planning commission notes By Jennifer Workman ing there was some concern about the size and location of approval. The public hearing was con- Staff Writer the boat dock and the lift. However, in the revised applica- tinued and will remain open until the tion and site plan, the dock was reduced from 319 to 210 September 14 meeting The Planning Commission approved a pool, re-consid- square feet and the lift was reduced from 14 feet by 12 feet Following the hearing the commission- ered a dock and discussed the Land Development Code dur- to 12 feet by 12 feet ers had an impromptu discussion about ing their meeting this. week. However a variance is still needed for the dock and lift the application of the Land The pool and screen enclosure, at a residence on because it will extend waterward more Development Code in regard to con- Woodnng Road owned by Edward and Lynn Carrington, than 20 percent the width of the canal. struction of large homes and rebuilding will be built under an existing home to provide for a existing homes. As a result, Council required location of 35 feet from the mean high water line A second variance is also required for of San Carlos Bay. The construction of the pool required a the revised application because the member and liaison to the Planning variance which, along with the development permit, was dock's new proposed location is not Commission Steve Brown said he B. Rogers i approved unanimously by the commissioners present. equidistant to both lot lines as required would be interested in looking at a draft Commissioner Phyllis Bogen was excused from the meet- by the Land Development Code. ordinance regarding the large home and rebuild issue. i ing. Because a second variance is Planning Director Bruce Rogeis said the ordinance, which The dock, proposed to be built at a residence on Royal required for the revised application, the has gone through several drafts, was being worked on by Pomciana Drive owned by Anna and John Bralove, came to applicant requested the hearing be con- former council member George Madison before he resigned the commission in the form of a revised application. When tinued and proper public notice be his position. the commissioners considered the dock at the July 27 meet- given before the commisison voted on Steve Brown -.' - .. • o' * A *' Decisions get easier in this remarkable world of two superb lifestyles — The Island, with residences available now, surrounds you with boat docks and waterfront vistas, while The Woodlands, now under construction, is home to championship golf and a nature preserve. Both communities offer the security of our comprehensive lifemre programs. If you choose The Woodlands, you'll receive immediate coverage, even if you haven't moved in, and a one-year, money-back guarantee. We're so sure you're going to love living here, we guarantee it! Itehtem The Woodlands Here the emphasis is on a waterfront lifestyle and many of the resi- Twin residences rise in welcome to Shell Point's newest neighborhood dences overlook the boat docks, the lagoon and the Caloosahatchee with a championship' 18-hole golf course and nature preserve. The River. Individual gardens and an Woodlands provides a wide choice of orchid house line the waterfront walk- luxurious independent-living resi- way Banking, recreational and social dences with dramatic views and nearby activities and the Village Church are will be new state-of-the-art health care located on The Island. It's all part of a and recreational facilities. Secure and dynamic award-winning design that pnvate, it's an ideal choice for those can be your front doorstep. who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. ! Come see the many ways Shell whole story of retirement living with total lifecare. Point has set the standards for gracious retirement Visit our Welcome Center today and see why living. With summer's slower pace, touring all of active retirees agree that whether it's The Island or Shell Point is easier than ever. You can take your The Woodlands, there's only one choice for time enjoying all there is to see, while learning die tomorrow — the choices at Shell Point today. SHELLWPOINT Secure Tour Tomorrows Today A Continuing Care Community • 15000 Shell Point Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33908 941-466-1131 or 1-800-780-1131 • www.shellpoint.org ' EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Shell Point is a nonprofit ministry of The Christian & Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc. ISLAND REPORTER • AUGUST 12, 1999 • 3 Figuring the distance Lightning From page 1 between you and lightning Garab was in respiratory arrest and had stopped breath- the Gulf of Mexico don't fluctuate as much, said Bill Zeliff, ing, a common result of a lightning strike, Dickerson said.