North Fort Myers Civic Association to celebrate 10-year anniversary
Gregg Makepeace, president of the North Fort Myers Civic Association, said he has a favorite quote.
“I use it a lot. It’s from Margaret Mead, the famous anthropologist. ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that always has.'”
Makepeace said that those words sum up his feelings towards the Civic Association, which has a 10-year anniversary event planned for Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. Thee celebration will be held at Community of Christ Church, 368 Herron Rd.
He is encouraging the community to come and celebrate.
The organization’s mission is to be “for the betterment of the community,” he said. “That’s in our by-laws. The most important thing we do is we are a voice for the citizens of North Fort Myers.”
Ten years ago, the organization was headed by Mike Tisherman, someone he said he truly admires.
“He was known as the mayor of North Fort Myers then,” said Makepaece, many years before the community began noting honorary mayors.
As president himself now, he said he has referred and conferred with him many times in the last several years Makepeace has served in that post.
Makepeace said he is pleased with the longevity of the group.
“Other media had implied that we would never last, that not enough people would keep it going.”
Instead, he continued, they have an active role in the community, including working to get formal entry signs to welcome those who come in from several key entries to the area, working on making a new community center and emergency shelter a reality and holding state and local candidate forums.
“This month, we had one of our best meetings ever,” he added.
It is an all volunteer non-profit group, that works in a geographic area from the Lee Civic Center to Cape Coral east and west, to the Caloosahatchee River to the Charlotte County line north and south.
“We’re not to be confused the North Fort Myers Community Planning Panel, but many of us have been active with that organization, too.”
Makepeace said his commitment came from founder Tisherman’s style. “Because of his style and how he did things, his sincerity and commitment to North Fort Myers, he was why I was one of the earliest members to sign up.”
His wife Bonnie is also an active member, and serves as secretary for the board.
“She was No. 4 and I was No. 7 of members that were early members from the very beginning.”
She is always visible and as dedicated as her husband to community issues.
Another key local project the two have committed to is helping North Fort Myers realize a future with Town Centers and Neighborhood Centers, where people can live, shop and work in a neighborhood setting. It is a concept from the 1930s and the 1950’s, he said, that could be the future of many areas today.
“Our mission is being accomplished,” he said. That especially pertains to an $8.5-million commitment made by Lee County to build a Community Center in North Fort Myers in the future, something he said is sorely needed. He has long said such a center would provide not only recreational and meeting spaces for members of the community, but a much need place to go in an emergency situation.
The board generally meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Community of Christ Church, and the public is invited to attend.
Makepeace said all citizens are encouraged to attend the anniversary event Feb. 23 to learn more about the organization. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, call Makepeace at 567-0740.