Civic & Community Center: Lots of ways, opportunities to get involved
This is the first in a series of articles about the civic, service and community organizations in North Fort Myers -what they’ve recently done and upcoming projects and plans. Unless otherwise stated all meetings occur at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 Recreation Way, just off Business 41 between Pine Island/Bayshore Roads and Littleton Road behind the Public Library. By the way, if you haven’t seen this $10 million building yet, come take a tour and participate in its offerings. Please refer to the Neighbor Connections column in this publication for a list of all such groups and when and where they meet.
The North Fort Myers Planning Panel and Design Review Panel will meet Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. to review and finalize its plans Agenda, Speakers and Awards for its Annual Town Hall meeting which will occur on March 24.
The New Business 41 Merchants Association will also meet on Feb. 3 at 7:30 pm to consider expanding the scope of this organization to include all North Fort Myers merchants and changing the organization’s name. It will also consider a “St. Patty’s Day Pub Trolley/Limo” to provide free and safe transportation between sponsoring drinking establishments. Patrick T. Crissy, business consultant and life coach, continues to provide free one-on-one hour and a half consultations to members to improve their businesses. Annual dues only $25.
The NFM Civic Association will hold its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Recreation Center. There are several vacancies on the Board of Directors and nominations and elections will take place. This venerable organization which has played a key role in several improvements to our community including the building of our Recreation Center is looking for new faces, enthusiasm and ideas, so give your easy chair a break for one night and come get involved, and maybe even volunteer to serve on the Board. Annual dues $10.
The NFM Library Task Force, consisting of representatives of The Friends of The Library, Chamber of Commerce, Civic Association and Planning Panel, will be sponsoring a Town Hall Meeting at the Recreation Center on Feb.11 at 6 p.m. to solicit from the public what you, John Q. Public, want in the new NFM Regional Library that is on the horizon. Utilizing a novel approach, attendees will be divided into tables of eight comprising separate discussion groups for brainstorming and then prioritizing after which the major desires from each table will be revealed to the total assemblage. Present will be several county officials whose jurisdiction includes the library, who will observe the process and results. So come help shape the next library which will serve you for the coming decades.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. when the North Fort Myers Community Planning Panel will hold its Annual Town Hall Meeting at the Recreation Center. Last year’s THM resulted in ideas from the audience that led to several important improvements in our community, and this year’s version should be even more productive. County Commissioner Frank Mann, whose jurisdiction includes part of North Fort Myers, will be the keynoter speaker. Other items on the agenda include a discussion of business vacancies along Rt. 41, the Hancock Bridge Plaza plight, an update to the North Fort Myers Land Use Plan and Mixed Use zoning. See who got the award for “Most Improved Property of the Year” and “Eyesore of the Year.” Input from the audience is desired, valued and acted upon, so please bring your ideas to this grassroots democracy function!
Look for further news of The Chamber of Commerce’s “Taste of North Fort Myers” at the Shell Factory in April.
“Public Apathy is the Plague of the 21st Century! Yes, You Can Make A Difference.”
For questions, comments, details or news of any events or plans that you want included in this column contact me at mike-land@live.com or call (239) 823-3631.