"•- se comes home By KEVIN DUFFY "It's probably questionable if it [email protected] really needed" it," he said. "Actually, the building is in pretty After much discussion and good shape." anticipation, one of Sanibel's most The Hammerheads task is by historic structures is now in the no means complete, however. The city's unique version of a retire- group was back at it on Monday, ment community, nestled among removing rotted support beams other buildings that harken to the and preparing new ones to take island community's past. their place. Sanibei's Old Schoolhouse — "I'm glad to see it here,"' said most recently known as the Old George McKinnell, one of the Schoolhouse Theater — made the Hammerheads who was drilling one-mile jaunt from its location on holes and driving nails at the vil- Periwinkle Way to the Sanibel lage. "This completes the Historic Historical Village and Museum on Village." Dunlop Road last week. For some, Phillips said the goal is for the such as longtime island resident Hammerheads to finish restoration Sam Bailey, it was the culmination work by late fall in order to open it of years of hard work in obtaining to the public for tours by the end of the necessary grant funding to the year. spare the historic structure from Larry Amon, 55, a Sanibel resi- progress, and the wrecking ball. dent who attended 4th and 5th Bailey, 81, was among a hand- grade at the school in 1959 and ful of former students who waited 1960, said he would revisit his for- in the eariy-morning hours of Dec. mer school days there whenever he 29 to applaud as the 24 x 32 square Photos by Benny Sei ^ram. e attended a play at the building in foot structure arrived at the village Above: The Old Schoolhouse, still on Flint & Doyle's trailer, sits in later years. its new site at the Historical Museum and Village. on a flatbed. With its addition "I'd spend time trying to figure among the seven other structures Right: Sam Bailey shows his own welcome for a project for which out what had changed and what at the village, that resting place of he has worked diligently for a longtime. r hadn't," he said. historic structures is now at build- building to its original condition, ied themselves for another build- ••» Placing the biui.«Iuig amo% the out. Phillips said. ing to guide tours through. Old Bailey Store, the Burnap "It's the last structural piece of The structure, having survived The building was even tented Cottage, the Old Post Office and the puzzle," Parks and Recreation atmospheric calamities such as for termites prior to the move the Sanibei Packing House, among Director Helene Phillips said. Hurricane Donna in 1960, Charley even though it probably wasn't others, ensures many hours of The Hammerheads — a volun- this year and others past, still had necessary, said John Veen- revisiting memories for himself teer group of Sanibel residents — to be deemed structurally-sound schoten, primary organizer of the and his family, Amon said. worked diligently for weeks prior enough to withstand the one-mile Hammerheads. Most evidence of "To take the overlay of a theater to the move, removing portions of track ride under the stars. Once termites were found in portions off it and restore it to a school is the building that had been added- workers with Flint and Doyle said of the building that were wonderful," he said. on following its construction in it was, docents at the village read- removed, he said. 3 896. The idea was to restore the Council votes 4-1 to settle suit with county County outlines proposed By KEVIN DUFFY Reducing the debt will reduce in lower tolls, coun- [email protected] ty officials maintain. Causeway Blvd. redesign But council, which voted 4-! to offer settlement Sanibel City Council voted 4-1 to accept Lee terms to the county on Dec. 7, decided Tuesday to set- By KEVIN DUFFY County's terms for a settlement to the year-long litiga- tle its differences with the county only after City [email protected] tion surrounding the Sanibel Causeway, providing the Manager Judie Zimomra and County Manager Don county can outline how much tolls will be reduced if Stilwell meet to reconcile loose ends. The redesign of Causeway Boulevard will provide a Sanibel applies its share of toll revenues to meeting "'We're asking the city manager to do something measure of relief to some motorists, city and county offi- the debt service, and in what timeframe. that is almost impossible," said City Councilwoman cials say. But boaters may end up high and dry. The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Judy Workman, who cast the lone vote against. City Council unanimously approved a plan to construct unanimously Dec. 21 to accept the city's terms to drop Calling the agreement "a delaying tactic," Workman two "T" intersections on the roadway to accommodate all litigation against each other, as well as the ability said there was "no way" that the county would agree motorists looking to make a left-hand turn off of Sextant to file counter-claims. But the agreement came with a to dedicate its 79 percent share of toll revenue to low- Drive and the public boat ramp. But those with trailers major proviso — the city had to agree to pledge its 21 ering tolls on the bridge. hitched to their vehicles — such as mariners leaving the percent share of toll revenues to reducing the debt on "The more we delay the suit, the more time for boat ramp with their vessels in tow — may not be afforded the bridge, a project which now exceeds $121 million. them to put their spin on it, and the less likelihood of a measure of relief. This includes replacement of spans B and C of the us prevailing," she said. A vehicle with a trailer "will simply have to wait as they bridge, as well as the construction of a fixed-span do today," said Jack Freeman, the city's traffic consultant. bridge to replace the existing 40-year-old drawbridge. See SUIT Other vehicles can go out to the median and "move out page 2 safely" when a gap in traffic presents itself, he said. "It will improve (traffic flow) for passenger vehicles because, if you are turning left you move out to the medi- an," Freeman said. Sextant Drive residents had previously called for an • POLICE BEAT page 4 SBA extends County to lobby San-Cap Polar acceleration lane, in addition to the median, to facilitate deadline state for help Bears plunge In exiting onto Causeway Boulevard. The approved plan, • LETTERS page 6 however, doesn't include one. • OBITUARY page 7 The medians will be filled with soil to allow the city to The SBA has extended Lee County still wants to The San-Cap Polar Bears plant decorative landscaping, a feature in keeping with • DMLLIM page 9 the deadline for hurricane acquire the ranch and Club holds their now Sanibel's desire to minimize pavement and the impact on loan applications to mounts a new effort. annual New Year's event. vegetation and drainage. i > i 'ST;I\CS page 13 Feb.28. "This is much safer than what sits out there today, and > IM>- Page 55 fits within Sanibei's character," Public Works Director Gates Castle said. ... page 16 ••-- See race 10 ----- See page . ' 1IM- page 17 2 • Week of Jan. 6-12, 2005 • ISLAND REPORTER Babcock Ranch effort to lobby state Sanibel-Captiya Polar Bear Club On Tuesday, the Lee Board of County Inc. is asking those interested in taking the Commissioners unanimously approved a trip to make a reservation by emailing welcomes in the new year plan to continue with the full acquisition [email protected] or calling Liz of the Babcock Ranch, as well as a Jan. 19 Donley at the Partnership, 239-338-2556, On January 1, at the crack of noon, 91 group quickly gathered for the traditional trip to Tallahassee to lobby for the contin- ext. 234. The Partnership hopes to provide hardy souls from around the country gath- Polar Bear hug, a technique designed to uation of the state's financial support in the T-shirts to be worn as a show of support, ered at Tarpon Bay beach to inaugurate the ward off hypothermia, to the consternation acquisition. so please include your T-shirt size with new year with a plunge into the bone-chill- of those in the middle of the hug who com- The bus trip is planned to take local your reservation. ing 64 degree water. plained of heat. supporters of the acquisition to Commissioner Bob Janes commented Tallahassee to the state's Acquisition and at Tuesday's meeting, "As you know by Restoration Council meeting on Jan. 19. now negotiations between the State of The ARC ranks projects for Florida Florida and the Babcock Family were not Forever acquisition funds and a strong successful. However, this has opened the show of community support for Babcock door for Lee County, Charlotte County, is needed. and the Babcock Preservation Partnership The bus trip is in the planning stages, to take the lead and continue discussions but the plan would be for buses to leave with the Babcock family. Hammond Stadium at the Lee County "In the days since we have learned that Sports Complex that morning, with park- the Babcock family rejected the state's ing provided. More details will be provid- offer, the Partnership has made contact ed as plans are finalized.