This is the sixth installment of Lee county School District budget. This issue we cover Food Service, which has a total budget of $27,086,438. The first item which caught our eye, is only $16,367,335 is spent at the school. Level. According to the detail budget the Examiner got from the District, it has 31.97 Food Service Workers paid for out of the County Wide budget rather than by individual schools.
The District has two Food service managers, three clerk specialists, one clerk typist, one Director, six interns, one secretary, confidential, four supervisors and 2.83 stock control specialists, or 20.83 employees in the District Office. And still allots $668,433 for other personal services and other purchased services.
According to their budget, $540,000 is spent in "Indirect Costs", $350,000 for "Capitalized Computer Hardware", and $22,082 for food non-departmental while $440,968 is for Food Reserves.
The average school in Lee County has a Food Service Budget of $292,274 or $280 per student. Students are supposed to attend school for 180 days per year, leaving an average of $1.56 per day per student. Schools charge $1.60 for elementary students and $1.85 for middle and high school students lunch.
Personal is the largest expense of the schools Food Service budgets with food coming in a close second. We took the budgets from four schools in N. Ft. Myers for comparison.
Personnel Food
J. Colin English $144,811 53% $121,669 44%
Bayshore $98,985 57% $71,033 41%
NFM Academy $227,175 54% $181,119 43%
NFM High $165,591 48% $169,533 49%
As with all the budgets we have covered so far, dollars spent vary widely between schools. High schools seem to have the most money percentage wise spent on food, high schools offering the largest variety of choices for students to eat.
Our elected officials speak of how more money and decision making authority is being passed onto the individual schools, yet 32 food service workers are employed at the district level, not the school level.
A common thread among the budgets covered so far, is the amount of personnel at the District level. With decision making supposedly being made at the lowest level, the schools, one has to wonder why all the staff at District level?
Another item which stood out was the $350,000 for Computer hardware, this is above and beyond the $6.7 million budgeted for computers and technology in the General Administration Budget.
The N. Ft. Myers Civic Association held an informal meeting on Monday, January 28 at the N. Ft. Myers United Methodist Church. Tax Collector Cathy Curtis and County Commissioner Andy Coy were the guest speakers.
The meeting opened with NFMCA committee reports. The Incorporation Committee held its first meeting January 26 at Riverside Bank. They established priorities and set the next meeting for March 7 at 7:00 p.m. also at Riverside Bank.
The Nominating Committee announced that nominations for Directors to serve a three year term are now open. Three Directors will not be seeking re-election, Mike Tisherman, Harry Keller and Julie Flake, one is, Karen Landis. Director Fred Schilffarth will be running for a two term. Nominations will close at the February 25 meeting and elections will take place.
Lee County Tax Collector Cathy Curtis was the first speaker, the first words spoken were, "My department does not levy any taxes, we only collect." She went on to explain by Florida's Constitution, each county has five Constitutional Officers, Tax Collector, Tax Assessor (Ken Wilkinson), Clerk of Courts (Charlie Green), Sheriff (Rod Shoap) and a Board of County Commissioners.
Ms. Curtis' office collects 99% of taxes due from 97 different taxing authorities in Lee County. Taxing authorities range from the School Board to your fire district to a streetlighting district. Those who do not pay their taxes, tax certificates are sold for a percentage of the taxes due.
Ms. Curtis said there are several ways to pay your taxes, one is the lump sum when you receive your notice. 50,000 tax payers pay from an escrow account set up by their mortgage company. An installment program is offered to pay in four equal installments during the year. Last is to have your property taxes deferred until after death. According to Curtis it is very hard to qualify for, but helps some senior citizens remain in their home until death. Taxes are paid by the estate.
Ms. Curtis went on about some of the changes she has made. Your tax bill now comes with a return envelope, with most using the return envelope she has automated the opening of the envelopes, what used to take several employees days to do, is now done in hours by a machine, freeing personnel to do other work.
The bulk of her departments work comes from car and boat tags and titles. The Tax Collector's Office also handles the Handicapped Parking Permits. The Department of Motor Vehicles is also asking the Tax Collectors to take over driver's license. Curtis is working with the cities in Lee County to handle Occupational Licenses, making it a one stop purchase.
Last year her office visited eleven manufactured home parks to renew the stickers needed by owners. They had a very low turnout, which Curtis is blaming on a lack of advertising or letting the residents they would be there. She plans on keeping the program going at least one more year.
Curtis said they are working on making the tax bill easier to read and is hoping to be able to start accepting E-checks by this fall.
Commissioner Andy Coy was next up. Coy talked about his accomplishments, getting the new Sheriff's substation, purchasing $12 million of environmentally sensitive land, unemployment at only 2.8%.
He went on to say the airport expansion will be delayed until 2005 because of the terrorists attack. Coy said two groups may be asking for an increase in sales tax, the School Board, which most are aware of, and Lee Memorial Hospital, which is losing money in trauma care, may ask for a one cent sales tax increase. He assured the audience that the County will not ask for a sales tax increase, after losing soundly the last time.
Coy went on to talk about the sales tax exemptions which the state legislature is addressing. Coy said the state exempts $25 billion in sales taxes while collecting only $17 billion. It was pointed out to Coy that sales taxes are paid by the consumer, so whatever exemptions the legislature denies, will cost the consumer more. Currently, the $25 billion he mentioned earlier, is still in the consumers pocket.
Commissioner Coy said Lee County is going to take a hard look at the agricultural exemptions it currently gives. He called the exemptions "rent a cow" and in the future land owners will have to prove it is agricultural land.
Roads were his next topic. He began to talk about the Del Prado interchange and finishing the Del Prado Extension, saying both were needed for future growth. The audience was not enthused with the Del Prado Extension. Coy was asked why it was built instead of finishing Bayshore to the interstate?
Coy said Bayshore is slated for widening in fiscal year 2003-4. Coy was then asked why the county is widening the N. Tamiami Trail from Bayshore to Littleton Road, a state road project the county is doing ahead of schedule and will be reimbursed by the state at a later date, instead of widening Bayshore Road.
Coy answered that once a road project is in the six year state work program, it can't be advanced. The Examiner called the Florida Department of Transportation and they said unless extenuating circumstances prevented it, any project can be advanced through the six year program by the county. The widening of Business 41 to Littleton Road was ranked fourteenth in the state work program, and the county chose to hurry it along. We will still have to wait on Bayshore Road's widening.
Coy was asked about N. Ft. Myers Incorporation, he stated he would support what ever the voters of N. Ft. Myers wanted. When asked if the county would allow the Incorporation committee to use the funds the County has designated for Community Plans, Coy answered emphatically no. That money can only be used for a Community Plan, not for an incorporation study.
Fred Schilffarth raised the issue that part of the steps the state requires an area looking to incorporate to do, is a Community Plan. Coy still said the money could not be used, a separate Community Plan committee could use the money only.
The next meeting of the N. Ft. Myers Civic Association will be February 25 at N. Ft. Myers United Methodist Church on Pondella Rd. starting at 7:00 p.m.
The North Fort Myers Fire Control and Rescue Service District held their monthly meeting on Monday, January 28. The February meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 at Station One located on Willis Road.
All commissioners were present except Bob Hoke.
The district has purchased new radios and airpacks. The new fire truck on order will be ready for an initial inspection in February. The board approved the purchase of a new Dodge ram pick-up for the newly created position of Arson Investigator, at a cost of $22,200. Engineer Burton was promoted to fill the new position with the rank and benefits of a captain. A new firefighter has been hired to fill his old position.
Chief Pye handed out the call report for last year along with totals for the past ten years. Total calls has risen to 6,224 in 2001 from 4478 in 1990, up 1,746. EMS calls more than make up the difference, EMS calls last year were 5,118 in 1990 3,195 an increase of 1,923 calls.
Surprisingly, fire calls and all other calls are down by 177 calls in 2001. Our firefighters are called out more for EMS calls today than eleven years ago. Fire calls are down, yet the district is discussing raising the millage to have more firefighters on each truck, to fight fewer fires, go figure.
Marie Hagan, Public Education Officer, did her usual outstanding job of working with our school children. She is having problems getting more smoke alarms to distribute free since her source can no longer supply them. Hagan stated she needs about $1,000 per year for the smoke detector program.
Fire Marshall Rick Jones gave a presentation concerning raising inspection fees. According to Jones his department is being swamped with new inspections for such things as new home sprinkler systems, restaurants having to change over to a new system and gas stations changing over to new fiberglass tanks.
Last month Jones' department did 241 inspections, spent 88 hours in training and 35 other asundry duties. His payroll was 480 hours. Figuring an hour per inspection, lots of time is still unaccounted for.
The commissioners were hesitant to raise inspection fees or create new ones. When Chief Pye was asked if he had to increase Jones' department budget, the answer was no. When asked if he needed the money to make budget, Pye answered no.
When Commissioner Ballard asked Jones if they didn't add the fees would his department end up in the red, Jones answered yes. What wasn't added is that inspection fees have never paid fully for the three inspectors.
Commissioner Mere made a motion to table the issue, Ballard seconded it. Chairman Nottingham asked Jones to keep records of how much the new inspections were costing. The public asked that Jones also keep track of what the new home or business means to the district in new taxable property.
Chief Pye asked the board to approve a new recognition program for employees with 20 years plus time with the district. He recommended a pin for 20 years of service and 2 days off, a commemorative fire axe for 25 years and 3 days off and for 30 years a watch and 4 days off. It passed.
The board also approved paying for meals for district personnel who belong to civic organizations who's meetings include meals, such as the Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. It was approved. The district was already paying the dues.
The meeting ended with the election of officers for the coming year. Leroy Nottingham will remain as Chairperson, Tom Mere as Vice Chairman and Dan Ballard will be Secretary/Treasurer.
Another season of stargazing and planet watching is here. This winter, Jupiter and Saturn make dazzling appearances in the nighttime shies. This year's Astronomy Nights program continues on Saturday, February 23. The SWFL Astronomical Society will be on hand with telescopes for planet viewing and plenty of advice on stargazing.
The program will run from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fee is $2.00 per person (non-members), free for members of the Children's Science Center. Children 16 years or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Long sleeves, long pants, closed toed shoes and socks, and mosquito repellent are recommended. call 997-0012 for reservations or more information.
For only $15 the Arthritis Foundation Golf Book will allow you to play at over 300 Florida golf courses at free or reduced green fees. The Golf Book is valid from May 1 through October 31, 2002. When you buy three Golf Books you one free. By purchasing the Arthritis Foundation Golf Book you are joining the battle to find the cure for arthritis.
Call 1-800-741-4008 or 941-739-2729, or send a check or money order made out to the Arthritis Foundation to: Arthritis Foundation, 6221 14 Street. W., Suite 305, Bradenton, FL 34207 to order your books.
The North Fort Myers Public Library is offering great programs this month for adults and children. All programs are free and open to the public. For more information or to register, please call (941) 997-0320 . The North Fort Myers Public Library is located at 2001 N. Tamiami Trail NE, North Fort Myers.
Book Discussion - The Painted House by John Grisham
Thursday, February 21, 2:00 PM
The king of legal thrillers, reached into his own past to write "The Painted House." Inspired by his own childhood in rural Arkansas, the novel follows farm boy, Luke Chandler, age 7, his family, and the migrant workers they hire to pick cotton. Join the discussion in this moving portrait of a boy's journey from innocence to experience.
Teen Program-Teen Poetry Cafe
Thursday, Feb.21, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Preregistration requested.
Children's Programs
Kids' Club : Mask-Parade
Thursday, February 14, at 4:00-5:00 pm. February events and celebrations will come alive with crafts, music, and lots of fun. For ages 6+. Preregistration requested.
Caught in the Web
Saturday, February 23, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Rags to Riches will present Anansi stories. For school age children. Please preregister. Sign language interpreter available with 48 hour notice. Call the Deaf Service Center at 461-0334 (voice or TTY). Assistive listening systems are available upon request at the desk.
Beginner's Computer Class
Monday's March 4-March 25 (4 classes) 10am-11:30 am
Thursday March 7-March 28 (4 classes) 10am-11:30 am
Call for info after noon 652-6002 To Register call 461-7440 Call 652-6002 for more information
Tiny Tots Arts, Crafts and & Ball Skills
This new class offers arts and crafts projects to take home and different ball games to be learned and played each week. We will focus on small and large motor skills and learn good sportsmanship as well. Your children will have a great time interacting and sharing with other children and enjoy a snack after class. Limit is 8 children per class. Ages 3-6 years old. Friday's 10:00-11:00 AM Dates March 15-April 12, Cost $10.00 Contact Christine Schirmer 652-6002 or 461-7440 to register
Tumbling (pre-school)
Let your little ones tumble off their extra energy. Children will learn the basic skills of forward rolls, crab walk, and balance. This class will help them develop coordination through games and skills. Enjoy a snack after class and socialize with friends.
Ages 3-6 years old. Limit 6 Tuesday's-10:00-11:00 AM Dates March 19-April 16 Cost $15.00 Contact Christine Schirmer Call 652-6002 for more information Call 461-7440 to register
Afterschool Program
Free Afterschool program till 6pm daily. Call 652-6002 after noon for more info
Walk For Fitness
NFM Community Park is offering an exciting new class called Walk for Fitness. Grab your neighbor and a friend for a morning walk. This is an ongoing program that you can start at anytime. Wear your walking shoes and a smile. This program is FREE and meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am-11am at the NFM Community Park under the Pavilon. Call 652-6002 for more information. First walk will be on Monday February 4th at 10 am sharp.
The Anne Morrow Lindbergh Shell Coast Poetry Festival is accepting poetry submissions from Lee County public and home schooled students, grades K-12, now through Wednesday, February 27, 2002. Conceived in 1999, the Festival celebrates young people's poetry by emphasizing the joy and creativity that comes from writing. Selected submissions are published in an annual anthology which is available in local bookstores and libraries as well as the Lindbergh Foundation book list. The Festival culminate in a poetry reading to be held on Saturday, April 27.
Poetry submissions should be mailed to: Anne Morrow Lindbergh Shell Coast Poetry Festival, c/o Margaret E. Morgan, 7000 Estero Blvd., #301, Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33931.
We were watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City last Friday night and were impressed with the pageantry and majesty of the event. From President Bush standing among the American athletes to declare the Games open to the flag from the World Trade Center parading in, we doubt there was a dry eye to be found.
However, let us not forget the greatest victory of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, no medal will be given for it, no anthem played, no single athlete will stand on the platform receiving a medal for it. The greatest victory is the 2002 Winter Olympic Games being held. 76 countries feel we have safeguarded our nation enough to send their athletes.
76 countries which remember the terrorist attacks of the 1968 Olympic Games, still sent their athletes to compete in the world's largest games, the world's biggest display of peace. Our country is still at war with terrorism world wide, and 76 other nations are showing their support of our endeavors. From the small sun drenched nations with a one man team to Russia's contingent of over 150 athletes, the world showed their support America. Our enemies may still try to attack our country during these games, but they cannot usurp the camaraderie of the Opening Ceremony.
***
Porter Goss in, Andy Coy out.
Congressman Porter Goss announced last week that he will run for the Congressional Seat he was once retiring from. Commissioner Andy Coy, who had already spent $97,000 running for Goss' Congressional Seat is now doing his "patriotic duty" by not competing against Goss.
Coy now wants to return to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners for a third term. School teacher turned County Commissioner turned politician. Coy sees himself as a public servant.
With that in mind, the Examiner has a true solution. With Andy Coy's experience as a school teacher and county commissioner, and our schools in such disarray, he would be great on the School Board.
Coy's knowledge of how county government works, he would make a super liaison from the School Board to county government. If being a public servant is truly his calling, shouldnÕt he want to serve where he can be the most help?
***
With our School Board clamoring to find funds, we found it amazing Superintendent Sanders is proposing to add more staff at the District level. How much management does he need to continue to mismanage our tax dollars?
All we have heard is how the School Board will have to cut back services for our children because of the budget cuts. And now Sanders wants to add more staff, not teachers, but managers.
The management of our schools cannot seem to break out of the box of antiquated thinking. The business world has been faced with having to reshape itself with the vast improvements of technology the past decade. Even large corporations like the Baby Bells have had to restructure and reposition themselves in marketplace. Yet our elected and hired school officials cannot see the light at end of the tunnel.
Taxpayers are fed up with more taxes, as proven by the one cent sales tax fiasco two years ago, 84% said no to new taxes. Evidently the school Board did not here the taxpayers mandate, or are choosing to ignore it.
They try to hold our children's education as hostage to new taxes. Its time taxpayers stood up and said no, and demand more accountability. Only a third of our tax dollars are actually spent educating children, the rest is in support. Do we need 28 psychologists on the school board payroll? When did mental health become a charge of our schools?
Do we need a separate school for pregnant mothers? Isn't hiding pregnant school girls from their peers and antiquated way of dealing with the problem? Why should our taxes be spent to ostracize these girls?
We need new ideas, progressive ideas, in these times of budget cuts, not continuing to do business as always. And, let us not forget, the schools now have impact fees to pay for capital improvements, which should free dollars from ad valorem taxes for other uses. Remember, its your tax dollars.
***
"When you're having a good time, time seems to fly by."
The Lee County Examiner is starting it's seventh year in serving N. Ft. Myers and Lee County with an alternative news source. Its been a long and sometimes hectic six years. From having our racks raided by those who didn't like what we were printing, to having people call our advertisers complaining about what we printed and threatening no longer to do business with them, to threats of personal harm, to threats of lawsuits (none of which ever came about), to having a major newspaper chain start a newspaper to compete against the Examiner, we have perservered.
You, our readers, have never abandoned your community newspaper, for this, we say thank you. And we ask you to frequent our advertisers and tell them you saw their advertisement in the Lee County Examiner.
Support Our Advertisers...for they Support a Free Press.
Thank you
by Tom Comingore (token democrat)
I have written several articles over the last six or seven years about the cost of medications and all of the cost for different illnesses and physical problems and each year I get new surprises.
I certainly will admit that I have benefited from new medications and methods of treatment and realize if not for new medications (some made in Germany and elsewhere) I probably would have been dead a few years ago and am willing to pay for what is necessary BUT I really hate to be ripped off.
Three years ago I paid (actually my Medicare and insurance paid most of the bill but I paid for them) $1,000 four times a year for a chemo shot that now cost $1,400. The cost just keep going up and up and the Drug companies keep donating more and more money to political campaigns. There seems to be no control over the drug companies and through a great deal of research that I have done it is amazing to me that all of the drug stores here in the United States seem to sell drugs at almost the same price.
Certainly looks like collusion and price gouging to me. President Bush is suggesting he has a way to help cut the cost of medications for older citizens in his new budget package. I have read all I could get my hands on and certainly doubt if much will go into cutting the cost but probably will actually increase the cost for most of us. The cry of the past of many of our business leaders has repeatedly been, keep the government out of our businesses and our healthcare! As they donated millions to different political campaigns.
I can understand that a CEO of a major business could share in the company growth profits but to get millions upon millions to make it go belly up is beyond my understanding. Evidently if you are big enough to spend millions upon millions of dollars on campaign funds as the energy and drug companies do, you can get anything you want and you do not even need to go to Alice's Restaurant.
Auditing companies get paid off to fake reports yet some STILL say the government should stay out of their business while they take their employees to the cleaners. Our drug companies do not seem to have trouble making tremendous profits yet you can buy your drugs from Canada for about half the price that the drug stores here in the United States sell them.
One of the most disgusting examples of price gouging is on diabetic supplies. I am able to get mine at no cost to me because Medicare pays for mine, but I do get a copy of the bill. Way down deep inside I know taxpayers, including myself, are paying for these supplies but the same exact brand name supplies only cost about forty cent on the dollar from Canada.
I just refigured my pill cost for now and here in the United States if I bought all my drugs at any one of the major drug stores my cost would be $177 per month but when I buy them in Canada they are $91 per month. If you want to check the prices on a computer go to http://canadameds.com and compare. If you donÕt have a computer you can call toll free 1-877-542-3330.
You can also write your Senators and Congressman and even the White House and demand some real actions on Campaign finance reform. That is probably the only way to really lower the medical cost. Some still say kept government out of the drug business I say;
GET THE DRUG COMPANIES OUT OF THE ELECTION BUSINESS
You can Email Tom TComin1551@aol.com
January 22 N. Key Drive, Jarred N. Blecha was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. January 25 8086 Suncoast Dr., James Eugene Furlow was arrested for a warrant. 8086 Suncoast Dr., Joseph Wilkenson was arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. 8086 Suncoast Dr., Makini Warnisha was arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. 2015 Gish lane, Luke Stephen Rich was arrested for violation of probation. January 26 Wholesale Court, Troy Donald Sanders was arrested for violation of an injunction and criminal mischief. Cardinal Dr., Miguel V. Ortiz was arrested for DUI and operating a motor vehicle with no drivers license Marinatown Lane, Andrade C. Teofilo was arrested for operating a vehicle without a drivers license. January 28 8346 Marx Drive, Beverly Maria Eldred was arrested for resisting arrest without violence and driving while license was suspended and failure to pay fine. N. Tamiami Trail, Thomas Michael Olino was arrested for possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. 292 Hidden Cove Cir., William Vernon Eldred was arrested for violation of injunction for protection. 7664 Peyrano Ct., Thomas A. Dollarhyde was arrested for DUI leaving the scene. 7838 D Ebson Dr., Matthew James Baldwin was arrested for burglary and battery on a pregnant woman. January 29 Commercial Dr., Steven F. Zuby was arrested for an out of state warrant. 589 Ellis St., Steven T. Earnest was arrested for violation of probation. January 31 1441 N. Tamiami Trail, John Anthony Cruz, Sr. was arrested for domestic violence/battery. February 1 2020 Queen St., Richard Abrams was arrested for battery/domestic violence. Hancock Bridge Pkwy and N. Cleveland Ave., Jeffery Adam Inch was arrested for possession of marijuana. February 2 6841 Golden Road, Joshua Sasher was arrested for burglary to a structure and grand theft. 1886 Bartholomew Drive, Mark William Davis was arrested for battery. 8431 Grady Dr., Ronald Keith Shuler Sr. was arrested for violation of an injunction. Pacific Ave. and Pine Island Rd., Teo Lee Fletcher was arrested for DUI physical control and DUI property damage. February 5 7869 Bartholomew Dr., William J. Eden was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident and driving while license was suspended. February 6 Yankee Beach, Jackie L. Johnson was arrested for failure to appear. Orange Grove and Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Theodore Grauwickel was arrested for driving while license was suspended.
Don Gill - E-mail VFVflorida@aol.com
On April 7, 2002; 1:00 - 3:00 P.M., a Lee County Veterans' Conference will be held at the Rec Hall in Buccaneer Estates located in North Fort Myers. All veterans groups and concerned veterans are invited to attend this important conference.
The list of guest speakers include NBC-2 Weatherman Jim Syoen, General James Dozier, Bob Janes, Chairman of the Lee County Board of Commissioners, Major Arnold Kempe of Cape Coral and a representative from the VA Outpatient Clinic.
Following the guest speakers there will be discussion tables set-up where all participants may present various items of interest to veterans. A voter registration table will also be set up for the purpose of registering any resident of Lee County.This subject will be presented in greater detail in this column at a later date.
Taken from the Veterans Health Administration Highlights dated February 8, 2002
Administration Announces FY 2003 Budget
VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi announced details of President BushÕs proposed $58 billion VA budget, which recommends $25.5 billion for the VA health care system. Other features of the proposed budget include:
An almost $366 million increase for pharmaceuticals, that would bring the total to $2.9 billion in 2003
$409 million for medical and prosthetics research, a $38 million increase from this year's spending level
$537 million for construction and grants
The FY 2003 budget proposes to establish a $1,500 yearly deductible for medical services for higher income, non-service-connected veterans. This would not be a standard deductible that must be paid upfront. The veteran would be charged 45 percent of VA's Òreasonable charges' each time care is provided until the $1,500 annual ceiling for deductible expenses is reached.
If the veteran has third-party health insurance, VA would bill the insurance company first, for the full cost of care. Payments from the insurance companies would be applied to the deductible amount owed by the veteran. Medication co-payments would not count toward the deductible amount, but would be charged at the existing rate of $7 for each 30-day prescription. Deductible charges would not be made for visits for preventive care only. After the $1,500 deductible limit is met, the veteran would then pay the normal co-payments that are charged for outpatient and inpatient care.
"This initiative denies care to no one. It does ask those veterans who have the means and who incurred no disabilities on active duty, to pay a larger portion of their health care," Secretary Principi said. "That seems fair to me and allows VA to provide the best care possible to our higher priority veterans.
The North Fort Myers Lions Club meet the first and third Mondays of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Visually Impaired Persons Center located at 35 W. Mariana Road, just west of the N. Tamiami Trail.
The Hellenic American Club of S.W. Florida is presenting its 12th annual dinner dance .
In keeping with the patriotic fervor in our country today, our theme this year is "YASSOU to the Red, White, and Blue!" The dinner/ dance will be held at the Italian American Club at 4725 Vincennes Blvd., Cape Coral on Sunday evening, February 17th at 6:30-11 p.m. Greek and American music featuring the Peter Lambropoulos Band. $45.00 per person, Children under 10 years of age $12. Dinner served at 7:00 p.m.
For tickets and reservations please contact: Ann Constan 941-540-1819, Terry Kalogridis 941-549-4270 or dance Chairman Phil Pappas at 941- 481-4814.
The Hellenic American Club meets every second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Cape Coral Yacht Club in Cape Coral. New members and snowbirds welcome. Call Mel (Zogopoulos) Schunemann, Pres.941-656-1341 for further information.
The Democratic Party of Lee County holds their monthly meeting the second Wednesday of each month in the County Commission Chamber of the Old Lee County Courthouse. Enter the building via the 2nd Street entrance. Themeeting begins at 7:00 P.M. and is open to the public. For more information contact the headquarters at 334-0908 or e-mail LeeDems @Juno.com.
The public is invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Lee Republican Women Federated (LRW) on Monday, February 18. Lee County Commission Chair Bob Janes will be the guest speaker and will provide an update of activities and plans for the county during fiscal year 2002. A question and answer period will follow.
Reservations for the LRW luncheon, held at the Holiday Inn Bell Tower, are required by Wednesday, February 13, included are an 11:15 a.m. social hour, 11:45 lunch, business meeting and candidate forum. The cost is $12.00. Call 482-4116 or 4437-5870 for reservations.
The Southwest Florida chapter of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association {DESA} will meet for lunch at Noon Thursday,February 21st at Hurricane Harrys, 3448 Marinatown Lane, North Fort Myers (Hancock Bridge Road, just East of US41) The Guest speaker will be Col. Dennis Patrick "Duke" Vasey USA Ret. Reservations necessary. Fort Myers 941 458 8471, Port Charlotte 941 629 3481, and Sarasota 941 355 1935.
The Florida members of the USS Coral Sea Association are having their Fourth Annual Spring Fling Reunion on March 9. Members will meet at 11:30 a.m. for lunch at Valenti's Ristorante as 1200 E. Venice, Ave., Venice FL 34292. We would also like to extend an invitation to join us to shipmates from our sister ships, the USS Midway and the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.
For more information, contact Bud McKay at 941-371-3790 or Bill Johnson at 941-485-4360.
Calling all teens 13 years old and older, Friday nights will never be boring again! Friday nights from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Lee County Parks and recreation and the Lee County Sheriff's Department will sponsor "pick-up" basketball games at J. Colin English Elementary Schools outside basketball courts.
Everyone must sign up to play and have a signed permission slip. Pick up the permission slips at N. Ft. Myers Community Park.
For more information call 652-6002.
This year's North Fort Myers 2nd Annual Community Festival is slated to be even bigger than last years! How? By first moving the location to the North Shore Overlook Park (AKA Yankee Beach) located at the North end of the Caloosahatchee River Bridge from downtown Fort Myers. March 16th from 10 am to 8 pm with food, live music, activities, games, art, crafts and personalities!
If you want to join as a merchant, restaurant or seller of crafts, call the Chamber at 997-9111 for info. Volunteers always welcomed!
Did you know that each of your DNA molecules is over three feet long? Did you know that you can actually see your own DNA? Not only will you learn a lot about DNA, you'll take some of your sells and pull the DNA out (its painless). Children will take home a souvenir sample of their DNA.
The program will run in three sessions on February 16; noon to 1:00 p.m., 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The fee is $5.00 per child non-members and $2.00 per child for members covers materials and admission (Adults are free). Appropriate for ages 6 to 12 years old. At least one parent must participate in the program with their children. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 997-0012 for reservations.
You are visitor #