Civic & Community Center: Hurricane and Lightning seminar set for June 25
The North Fort Myers Civic Association had a great meeting last Tuesday, with highlights being:
* Announcement by our chairman, Bill Hanners, that we are sponsoring a Hurricane and Lightning Seminar on June 25, 6 p.m. at the Recreation Center, to be conducted by Lee County Emergency Management, with plenty of handouts. You’ve all probably attended hurricane seminars before, or read hurricane guides, but did you know that there’s lots more to learn, including lightning facts.
* Wendy Fahl of Sewing Boutique in Hancock Bridge Square was elected to our Board of Directors, making 10 members and two vacancies left. Wendy’s area of special responsibility is Code Enforcement, and she got her first assignment when visitors complained about the number and frequency of yard sales, car sales and boat sales going on in the Lochmoor area of Waterway Estates. Come volunteer to be on our Board-yes, you can make a difference!
* Unanimously passed a Resolution urging the State to exercise its option to buy the U.S. Sugar Land under option until Oct. 30, and to fund the purchase. We are a non-political, non-partisan organization, and unfortunately this has taken on political undertones, but nothing is more basic and necessary than clean, plentiful water and so we felt it was incumbent upon us to speak out on this crucial subject.
Although the concept of this Resolution was decided at last month’s meeting, the actual wording of the Resolution was put off until last Tuesday, after we heard a presentation by Ray Judah, former county commissioner and an advocate for environmental and conservation issues.
* Listened to a presentation on behalf of Habitat For Humanity by Becky Sanders-Lucas, and some of us signed up for a one-hour tour of their headquarters facilities on Business 41 in NFM, conducted on the third Tuesday of each month at noon. Call 239- 238-3161 to register.
* “Coffee with the Commish” scheduled for June 26, the last Friday of the month, at 11 a.m. at Road 41 Grill, 15331 N. Cleveland Ave. will feature friendly Commissioner Frank Mann and you will have an opportunity to meet and question him. Other sessions at the same time and place are: Lee County Economic Development on 8/28 and Lee County Planning on 10/30. Ask questions or make suggestions.
* Next month’s meeting (always the second Tuesday of the month 7 p.m. at the Rec Center) will feature presentations by two non-political speakers, one for and one against, the issue that could become critical to this area and the Caloosahatchie River:- Florida Offshore Oil Drilling. Don’t miss it – ask a question or voice your opinion!
By the way, we are looking for a volunteer to help us do occasional postings to our Facebook page and our website, northfortmyerscivicassociation.com. If you are good at either or both, we would sure appreciate some help.
Bluegrass Jams continues every Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at the NFM Rec Center, rear outdoor patio-free! This acoustic group plays without loudspeakers or script. Bring your own chairs (and instruments if you want to play along), enjoy this rare bit of Americana get together music and have a real good time.
The NFM Design Review Panel met recently, jointly as always with the NFM Community Planning Panel, and considered three applications:
* Prairie Pines Preserve seeking to re-zone a portion of its land to “environmentally critical” to help secure future grants and to better protect the land. No objection.
* Southern Trust Auto is moving from its current spot to the old Bob Evans Restaurant on Rt. 41 south of Pondella, and is seeking an administrative amendment and a variance for landscaping. Application endorsed by Panel.
* O’Reilly Auto Parts is applying to build a store on Pine Island Road in front of Home Depot and wanted input from the Panel as to “Old Florida” architecture details, which were supplied by the Panel. They will return after they have incorporated our suggestions in their renderings.
John Gardner, owner of LCI Insurance and a member of the Panel recently purchased the Panel’s old website, www.nfmcpp.org, and will be updating it with all appropriate documents.
“Public Apathy is the Plague of the 21st Century!” Yes, YOU Can Make A Difference. Come to one of these meetings and see.
For questions, comments, details or news of any civic or community events or plans that you want published in this column contact me at mike-land@live.com or call 239-823-3631.