WEEK OF MAY 12, 2011 'Long Ride Home' island WGCU to premiere . 'Long Ride Home' REPORTER - Page 3 SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA, FLORIDA VOLUME 49, NUMBER 18 VISIT US ONLINE AT CAPTIVASAN!BEL,COM 750 Young riders saddle up for Bike Rodeo By JEFF LYSIAK p.m. at The Sanibel School's Pavilion. All kids attending that are not enrolled in With the school year soon coming to the regular after school program must an end, a lot more bicycle riders can be have a parent or guardian accompany expected to be hitting the road — andthem for this event. Sanibel Bicycle Club members, shared use paths — this summer. And for "Last year, we gave out about 15 bike from left, Mike Miller, Dan and the third consecutive year, several mem- helmets and about 80 or 90 locks," said Judy Davis helped out at the bers o( the community are sponsoring an Bill) Kirkland, owner of Billy's Bike bike helmet tent during the Shop and Billy's Rentals. "This year, inaugural Bike Rodeo & Safety event aimed at educating youngsters on Fair. staying safe while enjoying the pedal- we'll be handing out bells, along with powered activity. headlights and tail lights, popcorn and ice Parents are encouraged to bring their cream." JEFF LYSIAK children in kindergarten through fourth The free event will give your child a grade to the next Bike Rodeo & Safety Fair on Thursday, May 12 from 2 to 5 See BIKE RODEO, page 7 A Planning Commissioners approve boat lift variance By JEFF LYSIAK jlysicikObreezerr com The Planning Commission tools, less Togo time to cast their votes approving a vari- ance during their meeting than it did to What: Capital Improvements decide whether to alJow comments — in Code Review most cases not permitted during closed Subcommittee meeting hearings — to be made during discussion of the pending application. When: Tuesday, May 24 On Tuesday, commissioners were 9 a.m. asked to formally adopt a resolution to allow construction of a boat lift at an Where: MacKenzie Hal! existing boat dock, at 963 Kings Crown 800 Dunlop Road Drive, despite the site not meeting the required setback of 15 feet from the side For more information: www.mysanibel.com See VARIANCE, page 9A CONTRIBUTED SCCF staff, board members and volunteers share the news of reach- ing their $5.3 million goal. Cyclist, 46, killed in tragic SCCF announces goal reached in $5.3 million Bailey campaign accident along causeway By JEFF LYSIAK ing Tracey on her bicycle. Kleinpell hit By JEFF LYSIAK supported this campaign," said.SCCF [email protected] the guardrail before falling off the [email protected] Executive Director, Erick Lindblad. Officials from the Florida Highway bridge and into San Carlos Bay. Back in late October, when the "Gift amounts ranged from $5 to $1 mil- Patrol are still conducting an investiga- The victim was pulled from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation lion, and it took every single donation to tion into a fatal accident that occurred water by a nearby boater, but attempts Foundation announced the launch of the help us reach our goal." on Saturday morning, which resulted in to revive her were unsuccessful, "Honoring the Past - Protecting the The four primary components of the the death of a 46-year-old cyclist from Gordon Kleinpell was not injured in Future" campaign, their goal of acquir- campaign,'which had faced a June 24 Fort Myers and caused the closure of the accident. ing $5.3 million in less than nine months deadline, was to acquire the 28.3-acre the Sanibel Causeway for several Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Owen seemed like a very tall task. Bailey Homestead (priced at $4 million), hours. It certainly was, but thanks to the restore the landmark property as a place According to the police report, See ACCIDENT, page 7A tremendous support from the island com- to tell the Bailey family history and as a Tracey and Gordon Kleinpell were rid- munity, SCCF announced on Monday Center for Conservation History, restore ing their bicycles along the causeway, that they have reached their goal for the wildlife habitat and continue SCCF's heading off the island around 10:55 acquisition and initial restoration of the a.m. A truck driven by Theresa Lynn "Id historic Bailey homestead. See SCCF, page 7 A Shirley, a resident of Bokeelia, drifted "We are so grateful to everyone who into the bike lane along Span C, strik- ui Editorial 4 Letters to the Editor.......5 Business News .11 INSIDETOGAV Word on the Island 4 Obituaries .6 Preserving Paradise .... .13 SCCF to present 'The Gity 5W Island bicyclists request to OH That Almost Wasn't' next week join local 'Ride of Silence' O Submitted by KRISTIE ANDERS Submitted by KEN GOODERHAM loved, all outdoor activities, was an For over 100 years ago, there has been What began nine years ago in Dallas experienced and avid cyclist, riding for thoughtful work put into preservation of as a spontaneous outpouring of grief for pleasure and exercise. this area. Bird rookery islands all over a friend and fellow rider, struck and Kleinpell, 46, also a veteran cyclist Florida were identified in the very early killed by the mirror of a passing vehi- and triathlete, was killed by a driver 1900's. President Theodore Roosevelt set cle, has rolled across the globe to while cycling across the Sanibel aside several in Pine Island Sound for pro- become an international annual event Causeway on May 7, 2011. Tracey's husband, Gordon, was riding with her 3 tection. memorializing and honoring cyclists On Wednesday, May 18 at 2:30 p.m., who have been injured and killed while when the driver crossed the centerline, join the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation riding. resulting in Tracey's tragic death. H Foundation as we trace the history of The many hundreds of events share Both of these fatalities were prevent- able and unnecessary. 'S efforts to create and maintain our sanctuary the same goals: "To honor fallen islands and participate in a discussion of cyclists, to promote road safety, and to The Ride of Silence, in memorializ- where they are headed. It is no accident that make a difference." ing riders injured and killed, seeks to these islands have set aside phenomenal Bike safety is not a fleeting issue, draw motorist's attention to cyclist's and bountiful natural resources we all especially here in Florida which ranks legal rights to full use of the roadways, enjoy. the very worst in the nation for cyclist to inform motorists that .we are here, to The opportunity to create a city, would safety with the highest fatality rate six watch for us - as if our lives depended have slipped through people's fingers had years in a row. Within the past two on it. there not been decisive action leading up to- months, here in Lee County alone, four Locally there will be two Rides of fte vote in November of 1974. It was a cyclists have been killed in crashes Silence on Wednesday, May 18, both close call for the city that almost wasn't, as GEORGE GRAHAM with automobiles. departing at 7 p.m.Please come out to Sanibel Island's vision states: A pair of great blue herons, work- This year's local "Ride of Silence" is show your support and send the mes- "Sanibel is and shall remain a barrier ing to build a nest together. giving special recognition to two of sage that we deserve our right to oper- island sanctuary, on which a diverse popu- Center, at 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road, on those riders, Janet Rae LoFranco and ate on our own roads. We are not just lation lives in harmony with the island's May 15 at 2:30 p.m. to hear more about Tracey Kleinpell. bike riders but friends and neighbors wildlife and natural habitats... The com- the work to preserve Sanibel and the sur- LoFranco, 59, was struck and killed and we must all Share the Road. I munity strives to sustain ecological balance rounding islands. Cost is $5 for non-mem- in Estero on Feb. 20, 2011, leaving • Fort Myers: Caloosa Riders is and preserve and restore natural settings for bers or free to foundation members. behind Ron, her husband of 30 years; organizing a ride in downtown Fort residents, visitors and wildlife." Call 472-2329 or visit www.sccf.org two adult children, Justin and Myers. It starts at Centennial Park, i Come join us at the SCCF Nature for more information. Jacqueline; and a first grandchild located at 2000 W. First Street in Fort expected in early June. Janet, who Myers (under the bridge at Heitman and Bay Streets). The ride will be 8 miles at 10-12 mph. For information, contact [email protected] or www.caloosariders.org. Box culvert replacement project • Bonita Springs: The Bonita Bay Bicycle Club's ride starts from "Riverwalk Park" within Bonita Bay. It will be a 10 mph ride, about one hour on Lindgren to begin next week long, within Bonita Bay, escorted by Replacement of the existing Lindgren Boulevard box way with vehicles and abide by all traffic signals and sig- BB security vehicles. Non-residents of culvert with a single fixed span flat deck concrete bridge u nage. The City recommends that pedestrian and bicycle Bonita Bay are welcome, and must con- i will start on Monday, May 16 and is scheduled to be -gk traffic should utilize an alternate north/south route, such tact Claude Weir, BBBC President, at completed by Sept. 12, 2011. The work will be per- 1 as Beach Road, until this construction project is com- least a day in advance to be cleared at formed by Zep Construction, Inc.