Every week we mail to every home and business on Sanibel and Captiva, subscribers throughout the United States and this week... Monica Seles Sarasota, FL » EXCLUSIVE "Ding" Darling Cartoon page 3 Courtesy of JN "Ding" Darling Foundation VOL 8, NO, 22 SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS, FLORIDA DECEMBER 1,2000 DECEMBER SUNRISE/SUNSET: 1 06:58 17:36 2 06:59 17:36 3 07:00 17:36 4 07:00 17:36 $ 07:01 17:36 6 07:02 17:37 7 07:03 17:37 During the next few weeks the Island Sun agement. The issue has been smolder- will be publishing a series of articles on a ing during the past five years since the major issue facing Sanibel, beach renourish completion of the first beach renourish- ment. As the city contemplates a future policy ment project at Gulf Pines and Gulf that could include increased taxes, residents Shores in 1995 That project was a may be asked to decide their preference on the issue The Island Sun will present both sides of complete departure from City's non the issue so residents can make an Informed intervention policy at the time. The decision renourishment of that beach was pre- dicted to last between six and eight Beach years. The project, which cost approxi- Management mately $2.4 million, was funded through a special taxing district that the next Captiva renourishment as it and retreat, a strategy that was consis- Major Agenda included twenty five beach front home- was for engineering reasons. tent with the Florida Department of owners who, depending on the direct Combining with Captiva results in a Environmental Protections' preference Item For New benefit they received, were assessed saving for the mobilization costs of Retreating simply means moving a anywhere from $20,000 to $140,000. bringing in the heavy dredging equip- structure back away from the water The taxing district accounted for 82 ment required. Mobilization costs typi- when it is threatened The retreat Council percent of the total cost with the bal- cally run $1 million. option is based on acknowledging that by Jim George ance coming from the County, the City Although the City of Sanibel devel- the natural process of sand flow shapes and volunteer contributions. But every- oped a Beach Management Plan in the beaches. But in 1995 the threat- During the recent City Council elec- one involved with that project knew tion campaign one of the major issues 1995, the plan did not contemplate ened homeowners prevailed upon the that it would have to be done again extensive renourishment of beaches It city and the DEP to allow the renour- facing the island in the future got little, Since storms and tides determine the if any, attention. Considering the possi- also did not address the funding of any ishment project to proceed on the basis longevity of beach projects, no one such projects The plan considers all of the special taxing district. It was just ble impact on the environment and the could say for sure when a second potential long-term costs to taxpayers, the alternative solutions to beach ero- the first page in what will be a long renourishment would take place but it sion such as groins, armoring, break- story. The next project will not only it was surprising that the candidates did was planned for 2004. That date was not debate the subject of beach man- waters and renourishment but, at that include the Gulf Pines/Gulf Shores selected as much for its coinciding with time, City policy was non intervention continued on page 32 through which governance objectives Captivans Move are achieved." Mazurkiewicz and Grady explained Followthi Forward With the contents of the feasibility study and the charter, both of which are available LqrYiinary Trdil Incorporation for public perusal at the Captiva SANIBEL Memorial Library. The essence of the by Barbara Linstrom plan to incorporate focuses on bringing Friday, December V back to the island the $1 million paid bout 33 people turned out at the annually to Lee County in MSTU CAPTIVA Captiva Civic Association's (Municipal Services Taxing Unit) taxes Community Center last Saturday, December 2 A and setting up a city council structure Thursday afternoon to hear details that would instead operate on that tax about incorporating the island revenue. Hosted by the Captiva Incorporation Committee Incorporated (CICI), the Mazurkiewicz figures that the city public forum provided attendees with could be operating on $600,000 per the feasibility study and home rule year, thus saving Captivans consider- charter that the committee sent last Public forum moderator and CICI ably. The charter calls for dividing the week to the members of the Lee member Bill Fenniman talks about the island into four districts, each with County Legislative Delegation. advantages of incorporation at the approximately 200 voters. The study and charter are require- pro-city meeting last Thursday on To run for council, a resident of a ments of the incorporation process, Captiva. district, who claims Captiva as his or which would lead to a referendum on her residence, is at least 18 years old Beverly Grady and consultant Joe and is registered to vote, must file a the ballot next November if approved Mazurkiewicz by the Florida Legislature during the petition with signatures of one percent "It is that right to vote that we are of the electorate. spring 2001 session requesting and your support in that To get the referendum on the ballot, direction is most appreciated," said In other words, to run for council, the local delegation of representatives Fenniman, in his opening comments. you would have to get two signatures must approve it and take it to "Whether you be in favor or opposed of your neighbors That structure is Tallahassee. The public forum featured to incorporation I am certain you want based on state statute requirements for moderator Bill Fenniman, attorney to determine for yourself the basis a municipality. The districts have been continued on page 58 Page 2 Island Sun - December 1, 2000 Island Sun-December 1, 2000 Page 3 \\ **? Ding" Darling Wildlife Society Connection Better See The Gentleman At Once Bruce Everly And The Bust Of SANI5EL COIN & JEWELDY "Ding" Darling by Brian Johnson HOME OF A GENTLEMAN TO SEE few years ago 'M HE SAYS YOU PROMISED WOT artist Bruce Everly HO KEFP HIM WAITING .AGAIN was sitting in the THP WAY YOU HID L&ST THE 6ANIBEL COMMEMORATIVE COIN CO. A AND ip YOU DID HE Visitor's Center studying YOU HOPED HE'D WALK RKHT the alligator on display IK AMD HAKD YOU ASVSlFT is proud to announce their Limited Edition Native (Shells of 6anibel series. Marvellously lifelike, it KfCK served as a good model The Native Shells series, along with the Native Wildlife and Native Marine Life for a sculpture he want- ed to do on one of series, were designed and hand<:ra[led by local artisans. These commemorative Florida's most celebrated reptiles. Marilyn coins will be produced throughout the remainder of the year 2000. In January Kloosterman, a past 2001, the next series of limited edition coins will begin their hand-crafted President of the Wildlife Society, noticed his productions. intense look and his sketches and stopped to Each annual series represents four unique species found on 6anibel Island or in speak with him. She asked him if he its beautiful surrounding waters. Each coin prominently features the year that it was had an interest in mak- hand-crafted to insure collectibilty. Attractive Collectors Presentation Cases are ing a sculpture of Jay Norwood "Ding" available for all three series including a Comprehensive Collectors Presentation Darling. He said yes. Thus began an inter- Case for all twelve coins of their respective year. esting piece of detective work for Everly, who A "Letter of Authenticity" accompanies each coin to attest to the coins integrity. knew of Darling more as "Ding" Darling bust by Bruce Everly a name than a face. He The coins are available in a number of settings: earrings, pendants, bracelets, rings, had to reconstruct the past to get a feeling for stickpins, singular or in any one of the presentation cases. They are hand-crafted his new subject. It is hard enough to create a sculpture of a person who you can in both Sterling Silver or Karat Gold. Due to the varying applications of coins in see in flesh and blood; to capture the spirit of a person you have never met requires a certain amount of wizardry. jewelry, we felt compelled to create a smaller sized coin as well. The smaller Everly set to work. He spoke to Kip Koss, "Ding" Darling's grandson, about series coins are available in karat gold only. i I Master coin maker Gene Gargiulo has We at the Sanibel Island Commemorative Coin Company have a heart felt desire "I asked a lot of people about his personality. He was a strong man, © 1999 J N 'Ding" Darling Foundation studied the art of Hand Casting for 20 years to give back to our generous host: The Island of (Sanibel. We are dedicating a an adamant man. At the same time, he was a gentle person who liked Courtesy of lha J N "Ding' Darling Foundation portion of the proceeds from each coin to all of Sanibel Islands non-profit animals. I tried to show this in his face: the strength as well as the sense n9" Darling, normally a man of resolute action, was known to be a organizations so that Sanibel Island may be preserved for the generations to come. of humor and the kindness." Dterrible procrastinator when it came to Christmas Shopping.