Hall explains Amendment 4, Chamber awards scholarships at monthly meeting
Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall explained the ins and outs of upcoming ballot issue Amendment 4 at the North Fort Myers monthly Business Leaders Luncheon held Wednesday, May 19, at Herons Glen Golf & Country Club.
“Amendment 4 is probably the most significant piece of legislation on growth management since we have developed comprehensive plans. In 1986, every city and county had to report a plan, have it on a map, and send it to Tallahassee,” Hall said.
With economic changes, growth has changed and evolved and this bill would take it to the voters to decide on land use.
It is not to be confused with zoning. Zoning is a separate issue that would be handled outside of the amendment.
“It (Amendment 4) will go on the ballot in November, to see if voters want to be able to vote on land use issues.”
One of the problems is that voters, if they approve the amendment, would have only a brief view of the issues on the ballot, that for many, needs extensive research to decide on a vote of yea or nay.
Hall said when she contemplates similar issues, she needs to go through a literal box load of papers to know all the specifics. If the referendum passes, a brief 100 word or so description of the issue would be put to voters.
“Will they have enough information?” she asked.
The amendment has already caused great controversy in St. Petersburg, where that city looked into a similar local referendum.
“It is very simple yet complicated at the same time,” said Hall. “Throughout the state we’ve had good development and bad development. But this Amendment would put it to the people to let the people decide if that is what they want. I see the challenges for those who want to be well-informed voters. It is incumbent on them to do a lot of research.”
She said North Fort Myers is an example of land use in controversy. “We have suburban right against rural here.” She also agreed with a chamber member who noted that voters from all over would vote on area-specific issues – not just those who live in that area.
The Amendment will take a 60 percent vote to pass, Hall said, and early Mason Dixon polls showed 61 percent were in favor of it, but that number has dropped recently to 51 percent.
Hall encouraged everyone to be informed
on the amendment, and vote early. “Nothing is more important than the right to vote,” she said.
Scholarships announced
Three North Fort Myers High School students were honored at the Business Leaders Luncheon, which also was the Excellence in Education Awards luncheon.
The scholarships are from the North Fort Myers Chamber Foundation for Academic Excellence and Leadership Potential Performance.
North Fort Myers High Students Tiffany Beckler, Yelena Sereda and Jordan Church were the local scholarship winners.
Beckler will go to Edison Sate, and major in Business Management.
“I was really excited when I learned I had won the scholarship and glad I applied,” she said.
Sereda plans to attend Florida State University, and pursue a dual major in National Relations and Visual Arts.
“I hope to pursue a career in state government,” she said.
Sereda said she is looking forward to college. Her proud mom Olga Sereda attended the ceremony.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” she said.
Recipient Jordan Church could not make the ceremony because his priority was his academic standing. He was taking an exam, said officials, but they noted that he will attend USF to major in chemical engineering.
“We could not do these scholarships without the support of the business community,” said Chamber Executive Director Kim Constantine. “We want to encourage the community to keep supporting fund raisers like our annual Honorary Mayor events to help fund these scholarships in the future.”
NFM High Assistant Principal Matt Mederios attended the meeting with his students.
“We’re extremely proud of them, and of the recognition for their outstanding academic accomplishments.”
Treasure Hunt to be
held throughout area
Chamber Ambassador Dick Collins of the Florida Merchants Network gave a presentation on the Chamber’s new website, and announced that a Treasure Hunt will be held throughout the area, throughout the month of July.
The new website is now operational, and will drive the Great Community Treasure Hunt, “There will be maps, clues and riddles and more on the website, that will culminate in a free community barbecue July 31 at the Shell Factory.”
There will be 10 prizes, including a $500 shopping spree at Publix, a free monthly electric bill from LCEC, a membership and gas card from BJ’s Wholesale Club, back-to-school-savings and more in the event.
“Ten maps and 10 prizes will be given,” said Constantine. “We’ll end it with a business expo and the barbecue.”
Participants will visit area businesses in the hunt.
For information on any chamber event and participate in the Treasure Hunt, go to nfmchamber.org or call 997-9111