THREE DAYS A WEEK POST COMMENTS AT CAPE-CORAL-DAILY-BREEZE.COM Overtime CAPE CORAL win Red Knights down visiting Lemon Bay BREEZE — SPORTS EARLY-WEEK EDITION WEATHER: Partly Sunny • Tonight: Mostly Clear • Wednesday: Mostly Cloudy — 2A cape-coral-daily-breeze.com Vol. 49, No. 149 Tuesday, December 14, 2010 50 cents Council OKs financial help to repair Iwo Jima statue By DREW WINCHESTER While the full cost of repair is said that while the repair of the [email protected] unknown, the city was being “This is one thing that really makes statue is crucial, it is also impor- Cape Coral City Council unan- asked to commit roughly our community special. Maintenance tant to continually maintain it imously approved financial help $35,000, according to former is critical so it doesn’t reach this point once repaired. to repair the Iwo Jima statue at Mayor Eric Feichthaler. again.” Colum said the statue used to Eco Park on Monday. “We’re asking the city to make be set in the Rose Garden and was The statue, which has become that commitment,” Feichthaler — Councilmember Kevin McGrail in good repair until roughly an unofficial symbol of the city, said. “This is a very small invest- 1970, when it was vandalized. has fallen into serious disrepair ment that will pay dividends … The statue is only one of three over the years, to the point that we still have people living in this people, including former Mayor bilitation project. condensed copies of the original the statue is actually starting to city who served in World War II.” Arnold Kempe, who petitioned Commandant George Colum crumble. Feichthaler was one of several council to help support the reha- from the Marine Corp League See STATUE, page 6A A brisk walk Vote paves way for commercial center at Santa Barbara, Veterans Winn-Dixie reported anchor for shopping area By DREW WINCHESTER deemed “corporate welfare.” [email protected] “That’s one of the largest com- City Council approved revi- mercial lots in the heart of our sions to a contract that will see city. I'm scratching my head as to city-owned land at the corner of why we sold that for $250,000,” Santa Barbara Boulevard and McGrail said. “For the life of me Veterans Parkway be turned into I cannot figure out why we're giv- commercial activity center with ing this away.” Winn-Dixie as an anchor tenant. Councilmember Chris Developer Dan Creighton is Chulakes-Leetz argued that the paying just over $250,000 for the property — which at one time property, a price that Council- served as a fire station, which still member Kevin McGrail said stands — is not a benefit to the doesn't match the appraised city sitting undeveloped, which it amount of $1.2 million. has done for some time. The deal was struck by the Chulakes-Leetz said previous city council last April to Creighton and local investor sell the land, which is deed Steve Krieg were bringing a ben- restricted, to Creighton. efit to where one does not exist McGrail indicated the deal for the city. was far too one sided in “There seems to be a desire to MICHAEL PISTELLA Creighton's favor, which he See VOTE, page 6A Cape Coral resident Gerry Greenholdt is bundled up during her afternoon walk at Jaycee Park Monday. Indian Festival draws Freeze warning issued interested crowd By DREW WINCHESTER to us,” Pat said. [email protected] Hundreds of people flocked to for Southwest Florida The Germains weren’t able to the festival this year, and like the make their trek west this year, Germains, everyone got a taste of they weren’t able to visit some of Native American culture, art- Temperatures could dip into the 20s in some areas the famed national parks or soak work, history, performance hand made items and food. 50s with winds between 10 and long-sleeve shirts we can pile in the Native American culture By MEGHAN McCOY that comes with their beloved Organizer Rex Begaye said his [email protected] 15 mph before the night temper- on,” he said. “Simple layering is motive for bringing the festival to atures drop into the 20s due to an effective way to stay warm.” trips through America’s last fron- Southwest Florida will expe- tier. Cape Coral is because there is rience another cold front the wind, with Lehigh Acres The Salvation Army of Lee, nothing in Lee County that temperatures reaching the teens. Hendry and Glades counties Lucky for them, then, that through Wednesday with tem- Cape Coral hosted the third annu- focused solely on Native peratures dipping into the teens On Wednesday morning, Resource and Media Specialist American heritage. Close said some could experi- Merrilu Bennett said they al Cape Coral Indian Festival at in some areas. Sun Splash this weekend, as they Begaye and his wife, Barbara Meteorologist Paul Close ence some frost before the after- opened their shelters last night Huntoon, host a similar festival in noon reaches back into the low for 19 people. were given the chance to soak up said there is a strong high pres- Native American culture without Sarasota. sure area coming in from the 60s with winds between 5 and During the last cold spell Lee 10 mph. That night tempera- County experienced on Dec. 6, having to leave the city limits. central United States that is “I’m happy to have them come See CROWD, page 6A expected to push cold air into tures will drop to the mid 30s The Salvation Army had 22 Southwest Florida for the next for those who live inland and in people stay at the shelter and 26 couple of days. the low 40s for the Cape Coral people on Dec. 7, which includ- A freeze warning was issued area. ed two children. for Fort Myers and Cape Coral Red Cross Communications She said they are expecting due to temperatures reaching the Coordinator Colin Downey the same if not more people to 30s Monday night. Close said stressed that individuals should utilize the shelter since it will be for those who live further inland dress in layers during the next a little cooler outside. around Lehigh Acres will feel couple of days to keep them- Bennett said some individu- temperatures dip into the 20s. selves protected from the ele- als came in and picked up blan- Afternoon temperatures ments. Lucas today will reach the mid to high “We have drawers full of See FREEZE, page 3A Olvera performs an Okla- homa Fancy Dance at Messiah Church to hold 24th the Cape Coral Indian ‘Living Nativity’ Christmas Diorama Festival. By ANDREA GALABINSKI and more than 20 in the technical drive-through Living Nativity MICHAEL [email protected] crew are now rehearsing and will take place Friday, Dec. 17, PISTELLA It is a sight that many, many preparing for the drive through and Saturday, Dec. 18, from 7 to have enjoyed over the years — holiday experience, said coordi- 9 p.m. Messiah Lutheran Church’s nator Shirley Egleston. “I enjoy all the preparation, “Living Nativity” Christmas Egleston has been a volunteer but I really enjoy the week we Diorama. organizer for the event for the last actually have the event. It is an This will mark the 24th year four years, and organizer for the opportunity to do something for the lavish presentation will be equally popular Easter Diorama. the community, and to me, it is held at the church on Pine Island She’s been preparing for the Road. A cast of 60 performers big event since October. The See CHURCH, page 3A ATAGLANCE AROUND THE CAPE NEWS OF NOTE WHAT’S INSIDE Cape Coral Friends Pet adoption event at Su Casa Annie’s Mailbox......9A Horoscopes......9A of Wildlife meets tonight Su Casa, a furniture boutique, is hosting a pet adoption day and shelter benefit for Cape Life............7A Obituaries..........2A The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife will Lee County Domestic Animal Services CASH 3: hold its general membership meeting Classifieds.............1-3B Police Blotter......2A 9-3-1 / 8-9-5 Saturday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, Dec 14, at the Rotary Park Su Casa is located at 1232 Cape Coral Comics.............11A Sports.........12-13A PLAY 4: 2-7-9-5 / 2-7-5-9 Environmental Center from 7-8:30 p.m. Parkway East in Cape Coral, next to The guest speaker for the program will Community.........8A Tides................2A Fantasy 5 McDonald’s. be local nature photographer and member Crossword........11A TV Listings............10A 10-12-30-32-34 Volunteers from LCDAS will have pets Lotto Dan Tudor, who will present a documen- for adoption from the shelter to meet and Dr. Donohue......9A Weather..............2A 24-27-33-38-50-52 tary film by Melissa Peabody titled greet visitors along with information on x 5 “American Coyote – Still Wild at Heart.” Editorial...........4-5A Web poll.............4A how to adopt them. Florida Powerball Rotary Park is located one mile south of More information about pets for adop- 1-8-10-19-20 Cape Coral Parkway off Pelican Boulevard PB 23 x 2 tion is available at leelostpets.com or by at the intersection of El Dorado Parkway calling (239) 533-7387. To view the shel- and Rose Garden Road. The meeting is free ter’s Wish List click on Animal Care Trust and open to the public. Fund. 7 48445 46010 1 For information call (239) 980-2593. Page 2A Tuesday, December 14, 2010 cape-coral-daily-breeze.com CAPE CORAL BREEZE Small businesses get break on recycling fees By DREW WINCHESTER dential rates 12 cents per month, or offer- council.