The island's newspaper of record Ibis page 15 WEEK OF JULY 24-30, 2003 SANIBEL & CAPTIVA, FLORIDA VOLUME 30 NUMBER 30, 24 PAGES, TWO SECTIONS 75 CENTS More funding for paths American Legion sees business in Washington's hands get better after smoking ban Smokers congregate outside entrances to get nicotine fixes By Kate Thompson Staff writer Even if you've got 'em, you can't smoke 'em in restaurants and bars around the islands — unless, of course, you drop into the American Legion. Under the new state law that went into effect July 1, smokers are no longer able to indulge their habit in restaurants and bars which receive more than 10 per- cent of their revenue from food. That virtually elimi- nates every establishment on Sanibel and Captiva. But the American Legion, and a few other select places, have been exempted from the law. "We may not be the only place that our customers patronize," said Elaine Stacy, manager of tbp American Legion's facility on San-Cap Road. "B Michael Pistella photo they are spending more time here." A mixture of bicyclists and walkers enjoy the island's bike paths Monday afternbon. She said the smoking law has resulted in a n ate increase in business for the American Li which has also seen an increase in membership the ban went into effect. use paths or any other kind of have known about it for a week," "They don't want to go outside to smoke," she said. "We're a smoking bar. People who come here expect Congress may funding for the next six; years," Sousa said. "We are in the process eliminate grants for Robinson said. of a letter writing campaign." smoking."' The Transportation Due to the reaction from the Other restaurants also have seen an impact, shared-use paths Enhancements Program, which public and groups like the RTC, although it has been slight. The Seafood Factory on was established in 1991 by the Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Fla., Periwinkle Way put a smoking ban into place in the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, is the chairman of the House dining room about a year ago but allowed smoking in By Donna T. Schuman largest federal source of funding in Appropriations Committee has the bar, a separate room, until the ban went into place. Staff writer support of trails. However, those offered his support and intends to "I guess there hasn't been much impact," said Andy funds could be cut as soon as the offer an alternative to the cuts Biddle, co-owner of the restaurant. "People don't Additional funding for future start of the fiscal year on October when the bill comes before a full maybe stay out as long." pathway improvements may still 1. committee. But smokers still get to enjoy their cigarettes and be unavailable to Sanibel despite "This is a travesty when we The Sanibel Bike Club would cigars by stepping outside to light up. The end result the Planning Commission's rec- look at the impact that transporta- like to encourage the public to is that smokers can be found gathered outside many ommendation to change the the tion has on our economy, on our become involved with this issue. restaurants. name of the city's path system environment on out air quality on "There are many webs sites and "Now you have to walk through four or five smok- from recreational paths to shared our water quality and even our much information that we have the ers to go into the dining room," Biddle said. use paths. political situation," Robinson said. resources for," Sousa said. Following the unanimous vote Robinson made a motion that a Planning Commission at Tuesday's meeting, suggestion be made to the City Chairwoman Marie Gargano Commissioner Ellis Robinson Council to send a letter of support offered some additional recom- informed the commission that due to our congressional delegation mendations to the Bicycle Club Our Town: to the U.S. House of and also the White House seeking and the Parks and Recreation Representatives subcommittee funding for the canceled program. Committee. .' By the numbers vote on July 11 to zero out all The motion was passed 6-1 with "There are web sites that can be funding for the Transportation John Veenschoten opposing. accessed and that is one of the eas- Percentage of workers in management, Enhancements Program, govern- Patti Sousa, & member of the iest ways to contact our congres- professional and related occupations ment grants may no longer be Sanibel Bike Club said the club sional delegation," Gargano said. available to cities with shared use has been actively pursuing the path systems. matter. "If it is passed the way it is "It came as a big shock, but we there will be no money for shared- BWHOMIHT csw ISLAND • ENVIRONMENT page 15A Critter of the Proposed code HISTORY changes •REAL ESTATE pagelB week Spanish White ibis Planning Commission treasure hunt • LOOKING BACK ....page 3A look at the Land —See page 15A Development Code First Europeans in • OPINION .....page5A Florida come yo stay in —See page 2A mid-1500s • DATELINE .......page 4B —See page 4A • TV LISTINGS page UA Sanibel Florida United • CLASSIFIEDS page 5B Source: U.S. Census Bureau States VJ 2A • Week of July 24-30, 2003 • ISLAND REPORTER iSLAND REPORTER • Week of July 24-30, 2003 • 3A CITY • COUNTY * STATE LOOKING BACK 25 years ago island withstand winds up to 130 mph. term study show an average of three false • Joseph A. Langer, 21, Cape Coral July 21, 1978 The thirteenth draft of the ordinance alarms per day. was arrested and charged with cocaine which the council accepted is the result of possession and loitering and prowling Council imposes a moratorium on Sunday afternoon. multi-family projects a cooperative effort of the Sanibel 2 0 years ago focus on beach e Building Department and local engineers July 23, 1993 • Danielle R. Munson, 18, Cape and contractors. "It's more easily under- Short-lived rumble Coral, was arrested and charged with With some members voicing concern stood and minimizes the additional cost," strips cause loitering and prowling Sunday after- Donna T. Schuman Beach Zone back to a preservation zone and that the new proposals for restricting building inspector Max Anderson told the quite a shake up noon. Staff writer grandfathering that area would be contrary development on Sanibel could lead to a council. • Alice A. Blackwood, 67, Fort to what the city is trying to accomplish. stampede on city hall for building permits, In essence, George Blain, head of the Early this week, drivers approaching Myers, was arrested and charged with SanibeFs Panning Commission approved Commissioner Phyllis Bogen raised the the City Council on Tuesday voted to building department, says, it ties the house the Sanibel tolls gates may have noticed driving under the influence Saturday a motion to prepare an ordinance recom- suggestion that the beach walkover part of impose an immediate moratorium on all down from the roof to the fountain and new signs in place which read, "Rumble night. mending various changes in the Land the Sanibel Plan be enforced to help pre- multi-family development on Sanibel confirms what the building department has Strips Ahead" • A Rus'sel, Penn. woman reported Development Code regarding permitting, serve the beach. The moratorium applies to all develop- been advising builders. Everyone close enough to wonder what Friday afternoon her car had been bro- development and conditional use beach "We should make it mandatory that ment permits of three units or more. the signs meant got a quick definition- in ken into and items stolen at the equipment in the resort housing district. whenever there is guest anywhere there has Effective immediately, the respite will the form of a rumble and shake - as they Bowman's' Beach parking lot. to be a beach walkover," Bogen said. "If you continue until January 1, 1979 - or until a 15 years ago transversed raised strips of material The motion was approved 6-1, with July 21, 1988 • A Brewster, N.Y., man reported Chairwoman Marie Gargano dissenting. are going to drag a beach chair it's not going decision is made on the proposed rate of installed by the Lee County Department of Friday morning that someone attempted Before the vote, the commission made to be on the sand or over the dune. It's going growth ordinance submitted by Council approves fines for chronic Transportation and Engineering last week to break into his car at the Bailey Tract. several amendments to the proposal. to be over some walkway that can accept Committee of the Islands (see accompany- false alarm in response to a number of accidents at the • The owner of a 2000-block One reinstated a change prohibiting plac- this kind of abuse." ing story on this page) location. Periwinkle Way business reported July ing, locating, storing, using or transporting Gooderham agreed stating that it's The newly-adopted moratorium does In passing an ordinance regulating Tuesday, those strips were removed 16 that a television, VCR and DVD sys- beach equipment in a manner that interferes important to get control over what is going not apply to single-family residences, chronic false burglar alarms, the City because of a problem with their design and tem was stolen with the use of the beach by others on on the beach. duplexes, or to any applications for per-Council gave authority to Police Chief after the county received scads of com- Another amendment — still being draft- "I would ask for more flexibility with the mits that are already in process in city hall.