The Civic and Community Corner
The NFM Design Review Panel, at its meeting on July 5 at 6 p.m. at The Recreation Center, will hear a presentation on behalf of a proposed Burger King on Lot 3 at Shoppes of Del Prado next to Walgreen’s. Also being heard at that meeting will be an application to sub-divide the long-vacant former Sears store at the northern end of Merchants Crossing. This 100,000-square-foot building, with the decline of big box stores, is seeking a new life and a facelift. Come see and comment on the proposed plans, which could be a shot in the arm for our town’s economy and that shopping center.
The NFM Civic Association, at its last meeting on June 14, approved the community membership application of Lake Arrowhead, whose representative is Andy Rosman. Now, all the members of Lake Arrowhead can attend meetings and participate in the functions and events of The Civic Association. This is the seventh Community Member, which extends the outreach of The NFM Civic Association to over 5,000 individuals. If you belong to a community, house of worship or charity located in NFM, suggest that they become a community member – no dues involved- to help improve this toddling town and give all of its members a voice and input.
At the same meeting the Civic Association voted unanimously (utilizing a provision in Section 5.1 of the By-Laws passed 1-1/2 years ago to permit a director to participate and vote online if the member is away or has extenuating circumstances that prevent attendance at the meeting, thereby allowing Brenda Sizemore, Stefanie Eller, Richard Dunmire and John Lightbody to cast affirmative votes the next day) to:
*Hold its traditional “Meet The Candidates Night” for both the Primary Elections and The General Elections, led by Chair Al Giacalone and co-chair Larry Murphy. The committee also includes new member Dora Miller who jumped right in, veterans Bonnie and Gregg Makepeace and Veep Rudy Berndlmaier. It can include you, too – simply volunteer. In recent years the voters have gotten to know the long-time incumbents, but it is important that they get to know the platforms and faces of the newcomers to our local political scene at our “Meet The Primary Election Candidates Night”. It will take place on July 18 at 6 p.m. at The Recreation Center. Mark your calendars to come take part in this slice of American Grassroots Democracy. Stay tuned for announcement of the Moderator and format for this important event.
*Approve an arrangement between Richard Dunmire of The Shell Factory Flea Market and The NFM Civic Association for The NFM Farmers’ Market to operate there on Saturdays next winter.
*Sponsor a 4th of July Festival free to the public between 6 and 10 p.m. at the football field concession area of The NFM Rec Center. We need volunteer entertainment groups, contestants for a Talent Show, some food, background music and much more. Please contact me to contribute in any way you can! Our Town is lacking in public events and this could be the beginning of a yearly tradition to instill civic pride and participation, as well as patriotism, in NFM.
Dana Kasler, Lee County Director of Parks and Recreation, spoke at our meeting of June 14 detailing new plans for improvements to our facilities at Community Park and the Orange Grove pool area. This included moving the playground area with replacement equipment closer to the Rec Center building. He lauded the usage being received at the Recreation Center, explained the public surveys conducted to determine what the public wants and answered many questions from the audience. He agreed to explore the feasibility of a boat ramp at Billy’s Creek which presently allows kayak/canoe landings.
As you read in last week’s Neighbor, ace reporter Chuck Ballaro reported that the subject of incorporating North Fort Myers raised its head again at last week’s Civic Association, even though it was not on the agenda. Because of the amount of interest it generated, and the lack of knowledge as to the details involved, I have scheduled as our speaker next month The Honorable Tom Richter, Mayor of Washington Park, N. Carolina a town of only 450 people which has been incorporated for 80 years. Tom has a second home in Magnolia Landing which I rent out for him, and we discussed incorporation over dinner several months ago. He is looking up any procedural differences between here and there and will explain why it has worked so successfully there. So please turn out with your questions on the second Tuesday in July, the 12, at 7 p.m. at the Rec Center for serious mental and verbal exercise. By the way, the original speaker on July 12 was to be Ronni Wood, State Director of the Florida Main Street Program, who had to cancel because of a scheduling conflict.
An interesting part of the meeting, Visitor Time, where guests can offer comments and questions, brought forward Mr. Sterling Peacock who operates a catering and delivered meals business seeking to re-locate in a commercial kitchen in North Fort Myers. Mr. Peacock served a spread of his signature dishes for those in attendance bringing a delicious and satisfying conclusion to the meeting. If you have such a kitchen and would like to rent/share it with him, or have need of catering or delivered meals, I will put you in touch with this very pleasant man.
And PLEASE contact me to volunteer to help put together this 4th of July Festival on short notice! You don’t even need to be a member of the Civic Association to help!
Public Apathy is the Plague of the 21st Century. Cure yours by volunteering- It’s good for the Heart and Mind.
– Mike Land
“Success is not what you gain in life or what you accomplish-it’s what you do for others” – Anonymous
“Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”- Margaret Mead
Contact me at 239-823-3631 or mike-land@live.com if you have some event, project or idea that you would like in this column, or with any comments or questions. Thanks for following this column.