Council will review Alligator Policy see page 5 VOL 12, NO. 4 SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS, FLORIDA JULY 30, 2004 JULY/AUGUST SUNRISE/SUNSET:» 06:53 20:15 B 06:54 20:15. # 06:54 20:14 -t 06:55 20:13 '%. 06:56 20:13 4 06:56 20:12 S.. 06:56 20:11 Public Meeting On Causeway Toll Increase Set by Jim George ee County Commissioners were in a contentious mood at their meeting this past Tuesday when they voted to hold a public meeting on August 10 to decide #on the future toll structure for the Sanibel Causeway. Lee Transportation Director Scott Gilbertson responded to rapid fire questions from commissioners on the DOT recommendations to dramatically increase tolls. It has become increasingly difficult to separate legal rhetoric and saber rattling from fact in recent months in the ongoing causeway war between Lee County and the City of Sanibel. The latest recommendation by the Lee County Department of Transportation to double the causeway daily toll from its current $3 to $6 and quadru- ple the discount and transponder prices has sent shock waves throughout the islands and the rest of Lee County. The DOT's Finance Manager Amy Davies says the county needs another $6.5 million annually in order to pull off the financing of the $100 mill- lion project. The county has been threatening to increase tolls for months, a threat School Principal Barbara Von Harten, Nancy McDole, Susan Schulte, Mike Anderson, . continued on page 3 Maureen McMenemy and Donna Marks stand beside the school's brand new sign Planners OK Move Sanibel School Of Old Schoolhouse Renovations Complete by Camille Kucaba by Brian Johnson he Planning Commission is recommending to City Council that the Old he renovation of the K-5 buildings at The Sanibel School has been more than Schoolhouse building on Periwinkle Way be relocated to the Sanibel Historical a splash of paint and a couple of new curtains. Anyone used to the old class- TVillage & Museum. rooms will scarcely believe their eyes when they see the remodeled version. Following a public hearing Tuesday, Commissioners agreed to adopt a resolution T "When you walk in, it feels like a brand new building," said school Principal Barbara granting a "certificate of appropriateness to relocate the Old Schoolhouse for White Von Harten as she gave a tour of the new 4th grade classroom, formerly the adminis- Children" to a spot reserved for this historical landmark in the Historical Village at 950 trative offices. Dunlop Road. "I think they're awesome," said Maureen McMenemy, the principal's secretary. "I The decision fulfills a dream that Sam Bailey and many others on Sanibel have fol- was blown away when I saw them," lowed for nearly 10 years. But it's not without controversy. continued on page 2 continued on page 4 Fire Department '•- •'. •.*•>• .":•••;$•••:-•':: •••••"•" Holds Training by Brian Johnson f you have driven down Palm Ridge Road recently, you may have noticed Ithe demolition of the Sanibel Fire Station #1. The fire deptartment has taken advan- tage of the demolition by using it as an opportunity to do certain types of training. On July 22, a group of 14 firefighters and volunteers began three days of "forceable entry" workshops at the Sanibel station. They were led by Bill Gustin, a captain at the Miami-Dade Fire Department and writer for Fire Engineering magazine. Gustin showed them techniques for knocking in doors and roofs to gain access to buildings during a blaze. "It's rare to have a building to practice foreceable entry on," said Sanibel fire Sanibel firefighters practice forceable entry Captain Bill Gustin Chief Rich Dickerson. continued on page 2 Emily Mallard, Diane Stocks, Ed Tobin The fire department's administrative and out. Von Harten recommends that and Layna Van Houw. Parade offices are currently located at 2340 parents drop off their children between he Sanibel Independence Day Participants and Spectators: There are just Periwinkle Way, unit K-2, in The Village 7:45 a.m. and 7:55 a. Parade Committee wishes to thank too many of you to mention in the 90+ Shops. The business number for the fire Tthe following groups, businesses, units that walked, biked, rode, drove, department is 472-5525.* sponsors, donors, spectators, participants, crawled and skipped down Periwinkle Republican volunteers, and their families, friends, visi- Way, and the thousands of you who salut- tors, and many just plain folks, for their ed the flag, welcomed the grand marshal Women Meeting outstanding assistance and support of the and cheered the entries and antics of the From page 1 2004 parade. Without their participation participants. But, you all have our heartfelt he August Meeting of Lee this the 14th annual parade would not and endearing thanks and gratitude for Sanibel School Republican Women Federated will have achieved the status of being the your splendid participation. Our promise After spring break in the 2003-2004 Tbe held Monday, August 16 at the biggest and best parade ever presented by to you, and all of the citizens of Sanibel, is school year, all the middle school kids Hilton Garden Inn. The Republican can- the Sanibel Independence Parade that we've already started to plan for an moved into the brand new $7 million facil- didates running for Florida House of Committee, established in 1990 by the even bigger and better 15th Annual ity built by Lee County, and the elemen- Representatives District 75, Ralph Bissell family, to honor, in Sanibel, the Independence Day Parade for 2005. See tary school kids moved into the portables. Livingston, Neal Noethlich and Trudi Williams, will be the speakers. A ques- USA on its birthday. Thanks to Grand y'all next year!!!!! The old school was caged off and Marshal: Author Randy Wayne White. tion and answer period will follow the Happily and Gratefully, workers set about reshaping the old build- presentations. Major Donors: Bank of the Islands and Your 2004 Sanibel Independence ings to bring them up to date. Walls were Island Sun. Supporting Organizations: Day Parade Committee: Ginny Bissell - knocked down to create more classroom The public is invited to attend. The City Manager and Office Staff, Sanibel & parade co-founder, Trish Bissell-Phillips space. New bathrooms, cabinets and ceil- Hilton Garden Inn is located at 12601 Captiva Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel - co-chair, Lisa Newmeyer-Cochrane - co- ings were put in. The improvements also University Drive (corner of Summerlin Police and Auxiliary Police, Public Works chair, Rob Lisenbee - Bank of the include new carpeting, new lighting, new Road and College Parkway). Reservations Department, Recreation Department; Islands, Peggy Hyche - Bank of the furniture and new planning stations for for the luncheon are required by Sanibel Fire District, Sanibel Community Islands, Mary Irving - Graphic Arts, Ted teachers. Wednesday, August 11 and include an Association. Bailey's General Store, BIG Tyson - Publicity 11:15 a.m. social hour and 11:45 lunch, "It looks beautiful," said Von Harten. business meeting and program. Cost is ARTS, Lee County EMS, Lee County "It's so exciting." Sheriffs Department. Parade Route $16. Call Carolyn at 849-0966 to make Parents will get a chance to see the reservations. Supervisors - Sanibel Amateur Radio From page 1 renovations at the school's annual open Volunteer Team - John Jones, Gib Harris, house, scheduled for Thursday, August 5. LRWF is affiliated with the Florida Mike Miller and Al Rosenheck. Kiwanis - Fire Department The elementary school parents will meet Federation of Republican Women (FFRW) Dick Muench, Russ Bpgen, Joel Wearing heavy suits and wielding axes, at 5:30 p.m., the middle school parents at and the National Federation of Republican Soobitsky, Mark Tesoro, Don Van Alstyne the firefighters broke into the place they 5:50 p.m. Supply lists are available in the Women (NFRW), .the latter being the and Bob Wimbush. Judges: Diane used to call home. office. largest partisan women's organization in Duncan, Liz Nocera, Holly Smith and the United States. LRWF has received top Joan Swofford. Volunteers: Lindsay Construction of the new fire depart- The school year starts on Monday, ment on Palm Ridge Road will begin on August 9. The school day, like last year, honors at both.the state and national lev- Phillips, Megan Phillips, Penny -The els for the past 14 years.& Tourist-Wildinan, Al Avitable, Amy August 16 and take approximately 11 will start at 8 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. Also Avitable, Carla and Michael Brosy, Julie months. In the meantime the firefighters like last year, parents are asked to park DeBord, Wendy Erler, Brian Johnson, are living in RV trailers across from around the loop for drop off and pick up, Bailey's on Island Inn Road. and stay in their cars while the kids get in 14 FINE SHOPS AND RESTAURANT I Can Too - Casual Wear • Casual Attitude Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry • Copi Kats Accessories Cotton Veranda • Tuna Luna Needful Things Collectibles SPfClAffY SHOPS I Sanibel Cafe • Sanibel Island Candle Co. Sanibel Silver &. Pewter Co. • Tahitian Surf Shop Wilford^Lee -MoleHole Tropical Temptations Ice Cream Parlor 1975-2019 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island, Florida From page 1 savings by building Span A first. ject. The county had previously said that imposed by bond insurers which would DOT officials have said all along that both materials had escalated dramatically then lower the toll increase," Greenstein Public Meeting threatened or pending litigation has a neg- since the inception of the lawsuits. said. The Chamber Board met this week ative effect on the financing of the cause- Commissioner Bob Janes asked the to discuss the toll structure but results of which was viewed by many as punitive as way project.