Mock evacuation Infinity Reeling 'n' rocking page 3A page 1B 1£!»*LCCC13486 1 q0 HR 1 123197 JANUARY 31, 1997 SAMBEL LIBRARY VOLUME 24 ! NUMBER 12 7 7C CLNLCP RD [SECTIONS, 44 PAGES anc S t M P E L F L 33957 REPORTER Plan calls for causeway to be replaced Planners OK single-span *skyf bridge to island By Mark S. Krzos News Editor As we know it, the Sanibel Causeway's days are numbered, at least according to the Sanibel Plan. Two weeks ago, the Sanibel Planning Commission adopted the Sanibel Plan, setting into motion plans to scrap the causeway's existing budges in favor of a fixed span bridge fiom the mainland to Sanibel. Planning Commissioners and city staff feel that doing away with the cur- rent bridges and islands is "the single most important improvement project which would improve hurricane evacu- ation safety." The Sanibel Plan, in two separate sections, states that the current bridges i are impractical for traffic flow and hur- ncane safety. Over the past five years traffic congestion on Sanibel roads has become a primary concern among Sanibel planning commissioners OK'd a plan to lar to the bridge to Fort Myers Beach — connecting islanders, businesses and tourists. replace the Sanibel Causeway, spoil islands and the island with the mainland. Commissioners say •please see page 2A vdrawbridge with a single-span "sky" bridge — simi- this option is best for traffic flow and evacuation. Juried art show winners Jacaranda fighting noise charges By Ron Hefner Sanibel's noise ordinance to acting On Jan. 27, the Jacaranda Staff Writer restaurant manager Heather Helm, entered a written plea of not guilty With the prevalence of night who was filling in for general at the Lee County Justice Center. life and live entertainment on manager Patrick Harder. "A docket-sounding was set for Sanibel, it is getting more and "This was the 11th noise com- Feb. 14," said attorney Tim Murty, more difficult to maintain "island plaint in the last 60 days against who is-representing the restaurant tranquillity"— at least according the Jacaranda," said Dalton in the and its owner, Bill Pritchard, "If to some residents. police report. "I stood approxi- the case is then ready for trial, a One irate citizen, Diane Irwin, mately 100 feet from the rear of date will be set." recently filed a noise complaint the restaurant and could clearly Pritchard commented that he against the Jacaranda Restaurant, hear loud music. I entered the "has confidence in the police; they saying the music was audible a restaurant and spoke with Helm, do a very good job. We don't want good distance from the establish- the acting manager. I told her the to cause problems for our neigh- ment. On Sunday night, Jan. 12, noise was in violation of the bors." Officer Bill Dalton of the Sanibel Sanibel City codes. At 0044 hours The Jacaranda features live Police Department issued a cita- (near 12:30 a.m.), I issued her a •please see page 2A tion for violation of the city of notice to appear for the violation." DEP finds fewer manatees than last year By Mark S. Krzos be a deadly year for the beloved sea cow. The toxin News Editor from the microorganism Gymnodinium breve, com- The Department of Environmental Protection's monly known as red tide killed 151 animals in Florida Marine Research Institute's (FMRI) annual Southwest Florida from March to April. That number aerial survey of the state's manatee population con- in combination with another 264 manatee deaths ducted Jan. 19 and 20 revealed approximately 400 pushed the number of manatee deaths well past the less manatees than last year's count. previous record set in 1990. In the first manatee population survey since the Results of the survey are used by DEP scientists to manatee mortalities and the record number of deaths develop population models and assess trends in the in 1996, FMRI scientists counted 2,229 manatees, manatee population. This knowledge, according to including 900 on the east coast and 1,329 on the west scientists is instrumental in making management Audrey Chiaradio's "The Old Blue coast. decisions on the future of the manatee. Shrimper," top, takes first place in the This year's first survey follows an unprecedented "These surveys offer us a unique opportunity to Sanibel/Captiva Art League's juried show. year for the manatee. In February of last year the view the manatees' situation statewide," Bruce Phil Rasmussen's "Spanish Town," above, DEP counted 2,639 manatees in Florida waters, Ackemnan, organizer of the survey said. "Population wins second place. The show continues marking the highest count of the species since through Feb. 12 at the BIG Arts. statewide surveys began in 1991. But 1996 proved to •please see page 2A 2A • JANUARY 31,1997 • ISLAND REPORTER Causeway •from page 1A The traffic between the hours of 3 like the Sunshine Skyway leading to St. and 6 p.m., especially during the height Petersburg. of tourist season, have at times become "It does not amount to an endorse- unbearable. According to the Sanibel ment of a new bridge right now and Plan, it is during these times that public that further refinements in the language perception of traffic congestion is are expected to take place at City acute. During these times of extreme Council," Greenstein said. congestion, the raising of the lift bridge Sanibel City Council member Wally to permit the passage of boat traffic, Kain was unaware of the Sanibel Plan and accidents on the narrow bridges calling for a new bridge. brings traffic on Sanibel to a standstill. "You caught me flat-footed," Kain "The project which would do the said. "The first time this issue came up, most to assure an uninterrupted flow of there was such an enormous public out- traffic from Sanibel to the mainland cry. I didn't know it was alive and well would be the replacement of the exist- in the plan." ing bridges and causeway to the main- Kain said although he had not seen land with a fixed span bridge high the section in question, he believed that enough over the main navigation chan- any language calling for a new cause- nel to permit the existing boat traffic to way without a drawbridge would be travel uninterrupted and with sufficient inconsistent with the plan. pavement width to allow traffic to by- City Council member Andrew pass disabled vehicles," the plan states, Reding agreed. The slow-moving Sanibel Causeway could be replaced with a high- "This improvement, although outside "I think .it's inappropriate to specify span, single bridge. The city council takes up the matter Tuesday. Sanibel city limits would do more than in the.plan what we will do when we're any other project to address, in a man- confronted with the need for a new when there is a current ordinance that plaining because she can't get to her ner consistent with the Sanibel Plan, bridge," Reding said. "Personally, I'm was voted into law by the citizens of tennis match in Fort Myers, then she issues critical to both Sanibel and not in favor of a very high span to Sanibel that requires the city to sue the shouldn't live on Sanibel." Captiva, namely traffic congestion and avoid having a drawbridge because I'm county, if the county were to choose to Ann Park, another former member hurricane evacuation." afraid that any such design would be build a new causeway without a draw- of the Save Our Bridge Committee said Although the city's plan for a new both hideous as with the present bridge bridge. she was absolutely stunned that it was high-span bridge seems concrete, the to Fort Myers Beach." Jay Halcrow, chairman of the Save even suggested. plan emphasizes that bridge reconstruc- Reding said he believed the draw- Our Bridge Committee said she was "That is just abominable," Park said. tion will require special aesthetic, envi- bridge, despite the slowing of traffic, is stunned that even the suggestion came "I'm speechless. We're starting all over ronmental and engineering studies. an effective tool to combat crime on the up after the public's strong opposition again. It's not for the benefit of Sanibel Planning Commissioner island. Criminal suspects attempting to to the county's suggestion for a new Sanibel, but for the benefit of tourism Steve Greenstein said according to the flee the island, while the police are in bridge years ago. in Lee County. I don't know how or plan the bridge would be "awesome" pursuit have no chance of escape once "I don't know what it is about this why they squeaked that into the plan." and due to the fact the distance from the bridge is raised, Reding said. "I've group that wants to put a big ugly The City Council will examine the Sanibel to the mainland, the bridge seen the police make arrests that way." bridge to these islands," Halcrow said. Planning Commission's recommenda- would be unlike the Matanzas bridge Reding added that it's senseless to "If these people are afraid of hurri- tions for the Sanibel Plan at Tuesday's leading to Fort Myers Beach and more specify that there will be no drawbridge canes, don't live here. If Buffy is com- meeting beginning at 1:30 p.m. CORRECTION Jacaranda 'from page 1A music, often rock bands, several nights a week in its All real-estate companies can represent the seller lounge in the rear of the restaurant.