NOVEMBER 18,1994 VOLUME 23 NUMBER 46 island 3 SECTIONS, 44 PAGES REPORTER Tropical Storm Gordon spares Sanibel Storm stirs more conversation than wind or seas By Mark S. Krzos Staff Writer Tropical Storm Gordon created more of a stir than a punch. Whereas there is no doubting the storm's voracity— Gordon took the life of at least six in Florida and left the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba with more than 100 people dead—Sanibel and Captiva residents remained virtually untouched as the storm made landfall just south of Fort Myers Wednesday morning. Many of the local and national news "..;:..,/v..0, :.••--.•.-,,• ^: media flocked to the island and cause- way in preparation for the storm's arrival. As newscasters spread fear across the country, windsurfers took : ^. the opportunity of the high winds to get out on the water and race across San Carlos Bay. The Weather Channel went as far as reporting the evacuation of Sanibel and Captiva, when in actuality it was just While the national news media spread fear among family and friends in the north, windsurfers took the routine traffic direction during rush advantage of the strong winds by Tropical Storm Gordon. hour. worth of heavy rain and occasional occasional thunderstorm," said Betty Plan supervisor, the storm made land- Concerned family members from high winds. Crain, administrative assistant for fall around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morn- across the United States phoned rela- "The fire chief went around yester- North Captiva's Safety Harbor Club, ing between Naples and Fort Myers. tives on Sanibel for the latest updates day and this morning looking for any "Nobody really seemed that concerned "By noon [Wednesday] the skies on the storm's deadly path. However, potential problems that might arise, but about the storm." should be clearing and we should see many residents ignored the reports by told us that the worst we're going to According to Thorn Wendling assis- some sunshine later in the day," said the media and viewed the storm as get is maybe some high winds and an tant Sanibel Emergency Management 'please see page 11A nothing more than a couple of days Former president visits ^ Lawyers, count Darling; receives Andnbon medal ballots for CROW By Prudy Taylor President's Office Mary Board Joy Breton. special meeting Special to the Island Despite a high tide By Barbara Linstrom Reporter that kept many feeding Special to the Island Reporter Former President birds from feeding, vol- The attorney for the Jimmy Carter visited the unteer rovers along board of Care and J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Drive helped the former first couple Rehabilitation of National Wildlife Wildlife (CROW) is Refuge and accepted the spot seven birds they National Audubon had never seen before. currently assisting Society's annual medal These included a roseate board members in vali- in ceremonies at the spoonbill, magnificent dating requests from Sheraton Harborplace frigatebird, yellow- members for a special Hotel in downtown Fort crowned night heron, general membership Myers Sunday night and reddish egret. meeting. Carter was accompa- Hinds noted that the The meeting would nied on his three-hour Carters seemed in excel- enable the membership tour of "Ding" Darling lent health and spirit, to vote on the present by his wife Rosalyno. stopping often to view composition of the Refuge Manager L-ou birds and chat with sur- board, which is under Peter Kelly Hinds and Audubon prised birders and fisher- men. consideration due to Society leaders includ- the disputed dismissal of Dr. John Kubisz, former ing President Peter A-A. At the awards cere- Berle, Chairman of the mony in Fort Myers executive director of the wildlife hospital. Board Donald O'Brien, later that day, Carter Steve Carta, a Fort Myers attorney representing Chief Ornithologist gave a politically the board, said last week that the validation process Susan Drennan and •please see page 2A Refuge Manager helps former President Director of the •please see page 4A Jimmy Carter spot birds in "Ding" Darling. NOVEMBER 18, 1994 •ISLAND REPORTER ISLAND REPORTER • NOVEMBER 18] 1994 Q 3A Shakeup at Chico's puts founders back in charge VM» kKALTY tikOUl* PRESENTS be worse, only time will tell," Zwick said. the last eight months or longer, the merchandise and By Mark S. Krzos Barry Szumlanski has been named interim presi- '• Staff Writer the company were not going Jn the Jurectionjhat we dent and a search will begin shortly for a successor. Chico's clothing announced Friday, Nov. 11 that wanted," Gralnick said. The Gralnicks will purchase all of Zwick's the Board of directors has accepted the resignation of "We are excited to once again become involved on 344,384 shares of Chico's stock for $3 million and chief executive officer, president and director, Jeffrey a day-to-day basis in the design function and in carry- will'then control 11 percent of the company's out- SANIBEL/CAPTTVA Zwick. Replacing Zwick are founders Marvin and ing on in the vision that has distinguished Chico's standing stock. Helene Gralnick of Sanibel who decided to come and its people and clothes. We look forward to bring- Zwick will continue to receive his base compensa- back from retirement to revitalize merchandise, mar- ing back the style and integrity that made Chico's tion through the end of 1995. keting and image for the retail chain they started 12 unique," Gralnick said. The company also announced the termination of years ago. Zwick's difference in opinion ranged from rapid vice president for merchandising and design, Heidi Let's Get current! VIP has closed more Real Estate on Sanibel & Captiva The shake-up in management came" after a dis- growth folnore ofaTmijTof merchandising and a Thorner. for the first three quarters of 1994! We're #1!* agreement over Chico's present situation and where it wider variation of colors. The Gralnicks opted for a Chico's originally opened 11 years ago on Plam should be in the future. slower more conservative expansion and stated that Ridge Road on Sanibel. It has grown into a world- "Several differences in philosophies about the. Chico's has moved away from the quality and styles wide chain w4ttel2ffeto«i!^i 30 states. HOMES HOMES that separated it from the competition. •VACATION RENTALS * LOTS ^COMMERCIAL future direction of the company have recently come SIESTA ISLES! "Maybe the change will be better and maybe it will LARGE LOT NEAR BEACH to light within Hie ranks of senior management. Over • Ft. Myers Beach - 3 BR/2 B A • Deep Water - SANIBEL • CAPTIVA • Very Private Near Beach Lot • Design Your No Bridges • Updated Kitchen; Bonus Room • Own Home, Room for Pool • Mature Beautiful Pool & Spa, $284,900. • Call BON- Vegetation, No need to Wait • Priced at NIE LESAGE at 489-1100 ext. 130 FORT MYERS. FLORIDA $99,500! • Call HAP CONNELLY at 472-5187 Island Seniors find a home in the new Sanibel City Center TICKET TO PARADISE! ext. 16 (#317264) • S. Ft. Myers - 3 BR/2 BA • 48 ft. +/- Dock DINKINS BAYOU seniors kept visualizing it as their spot, and it finally CAPTIVA GULF FRONT HOME w/Davits & Lift • 135 ft_._±/-_on Water; Direct • Direct Access • $250,000 • Call LINDA By Marianne Dila Strickland Recreation Department and Helena Phillips, director came to be. Mayor Muench gave credit to City • Remodeled 3 BR/3.5 BA Plus Den • Three Access • Upgrades Galore, $239,900. • Call HOLLOWAY at 472-5187 ext. 34 (#317011) Staff Writer of the youth recreation program. Across the lobby is Fireplaces, Utility Rooms • Security System, SALLY HUNT at 489-1100 ext. 128 the entrance to a large suite of three rooms which will Manager Gary Price and his stall for bringing togeth- Storm Shutters • Estate Zoning, Room for CORNER LOT NEAR BEACH On Sunday, Nov. 13 Mayor Jerry Muench cut the er information on the best uses for the building, say- Development, $1,295,000. • Call B.W. or • Lush Palms • Across From Access, Quiet S/D ceremonial ribbon to open the new home of Island be rented out to non-government related tenants, LINDA HOLLOWAY at 472-5187 ext. 34 • Price Reduced to Appraised Value! • Only including the law offices of Workman and Hoen. ing they did the "hard part" so Council members (#317070) NEW LISTINGS $145,000. &. Seller Financing • Call ANN Seniors, Inc., a group whose membership count is could make an informed decision. Muench said when l«8O0«237»7526 ^w" GARDINER, CRS 472-5187 exL 36 (#317396) The major space occupied by the Island Seniors (813M81-GI11 (l,,li,l,rt.,, 250 and steadily rising. Members hosted an open FA\(BI3M8I'3477 Hulu.ii' also opens off the main lobby and it too is composed the issue came up for a final vote at City Council, he CANAL HOMESITE house, complete with a huge celebration cake deco- VIPRtillvOr.up.lnc VI..ic 17Ni • Direct Access Deep Water Canal, 20,800 s.f. told the other Council members, "You can do whatev- A1 e rated with the seal of the city of Sanibel. Seniors were of several rooms. The largest of these is the member- 13151-30 MLCiesiir Blid »"- L-on +/- • Walk to GULF Beach, Amenities • Mature laid, parquet floored hall where aerobics, line dance, er you like, but I'm voting so they can get this build- Vegetation, Deep Lot • Asking $210,000 • Call rejoicing. ing." He named Henry Shcllon, avid activist for HAP CONNELLY at 472-5187 ext. 16 The old Sanibel Public library building was total- and other physical activities will take place. There is Find Your Place With': (#418092) senior issues, as the person who kept encouraging VIP ly renovated for its new tenants, including the a hospitality room, with round tables and chairs for NEAR BEACH 1+ ACRE LOT him to consider the seniors.