The Examiner started the series on Lee County Schools back in November with a comparison of of Lee County Elementary Schools. We learned that some schools have much higher minority population than others. Schools such as Suncoast (N. Ft. Myers Academy for the Arts) (42.1%) and J. Colin English (48.7%), have a much higher minority population than Three Oaks (31.5%) or Alva (25.9%) or Gulf (18.6%).
Bussing was supposed to be the solution to school desegregation, and guarantee that all our schools offer the same education. However, either by plan or ignorance, schools in low socioeconomic areas still have a higher percentage of minority students and score lower on the state standardized tests.
The second installation compared Lee County Schools to other counties in the state by staff, teachers, test scores and graduation rates. The state average graduation rate was 62.3%, Lee County 67.8%, average classroom size statewide was 25.8, Lee County 27.9, average SAT score was 995, Lee County 984, ACT scores were 20.4 statewide, 19.6 in Lee County. The High School Competency Test average score was Math 54, Communication 71, Lee County was 54/70.
In another story this issue, Dr. Sanders, Superintendent of Lee County Schools, spoke about retaining teachers and how Lee County was behind. The state average for years a teacher has taught is 12.9, Lee County was 13.1, above the state average. Sanders also said Lee County spent more for educating its employees than any other county, yet Lee County is behind the state average on teachers with advanced degrees, state average was 39.5% with Lee County at 37.9%, so who are tax payers paying to educate.
Much ado has been made about passing the decision making process in our schools down to the school level. In our third installment the Examiner printed exactly how much of the $176,473,261 was distributed to the elementary, middle and high schools of Lee County and divided it by the number of students at each school.
J. Colin English received $3,667 per student, N. Ft. Myers Academy of the Arts, $3,971, Hancock Creek, $3,686, Bayshore $3,879 and Tropic Isles $3,856. The average elementary school in Lee County received $3,947, none in N. Ft. Myers was above the average. Gulf Elementary, which had the lowest minority student percentage received $4,258 per student and Alva, another low minority enrollment school, got $4,606 per student.
North Fort Myers High School received $3,685 per student, the county average being $3,806. No school north of the river received more money per student than the county average. Dunbar High School received the most funding per student for high schools at $4,480.
Special Education was our next topic. Special Education covers a cornucopia of students, from the gifted child who excels, to the severely handicapped to even include pregnant mothers of school age.The average spent per student for Special Education is $14,227, over $10,000 more per student than the average regular student. Lee County supports a special school just for pregnant mothers to the expense of $6,445 per student with 197 students enrolled at the school.
Next was how much was spent on Administrative Costs. $1,133 per student or $68,609,487, 11% of the total budget is being spent of Administrative Costs. Dr. Sanders in his address to the N. Ft. Myers Civic Association said he was reestablishing Curriculum Development, yet $1.3 million was budgeted for it this year. $2.7 million was budgeted for Staff Development, possibly explaining Dr. Sanders comment on Lee County spending the most on staff education. Over $6.5 million is spent on the District's computer departments.
School Lunch Program was broken down by a per school basis. The lunch program spends $280 per student on an average.
Bussing, the curse of the Warren Supreme Court was our last installment. $23.7 million being spent on transporting our children. School Choice has added the bussing fiasco, moving even more children around the county.
The only budget left was for Summer School. Summer School costs the taxpayers of Lee County the paltry (when compared to other costs of education) sum of $1,065,708, which includes bussing to the tune of $452,355. During the budget crunch of recent months, it has been the mantra of the school board officials that summer school would have to be cut. When compared to other costs of the district, one wonders why the program which effects the most students will be the first one cut? Mainstreaming pregnant mothers into the regular school system would save $1.3 million and only effect 197 students.
The Examiner made this series of stories from the over 1,200 page Lee County School District Detail Budget, using the same organization which the district uses. We have just compiled the numbers in a fashion which made it easier for the common person to understand.
In compiling the totals for this last report, we were somewhat surprised at the grand total being almost $50 million dollars over the taxes collected and government audited budget. We conferred with several accountants and were told the reserves may be the explanation. Our figures did not include any short or long term debt nor did we delve into that mystical world of government financing, all that was lumped under Reserves, once again, by the detail budget we bought from the district.
Still, using the $661,914,697 budget figure, only 39% of the collected taxes go to actually educating our children. 10.4% pays for the Administration of the District. Less than half of the taxes collected can be tracked through the detail budget of directly going for education, leaving $403,262,322 for reserves, debt and building new schools.
Rumors are already starting that the School district will be asking for a raise in taxes to help build new schools and keep up with the demands growth is putting upon our school system. Impact fees, which were just passed, are being tied up in court by the developers, who are saying Impact Fees are an illegal tax, or all of us should pay for growth, not just those who are new to the area, and causing these new demands upon the system.
The N. Ft. Myers Civic Association (NFMCA) held its monthly general membership meeting on Monday, February 25 at the N. Ft. Myers Methodist Church. First on the agenda was the election to fill four vacant seats on the Board of Directors for three year terms and one for a two year term. Fred Schilffarth was elected to the two year term, Terry Pye, Karen Landis and Rocky Stone were elected to three year terms. One seat remains open.
Dr. John Sanders, Superintendent of Lee County Schools was the guest speaker. He opened his presentation by saying he had met most of the day with the School Board members doing Master Board Training which included rules and regulations of public service and covering the Sunshine Laws.
Sanders also made a presentation to the Board concerning the future of our schools and how to handle the growth. He presented them with three options. A) Add space to existing buildings; B) Half Days- Double Sessions which would cost $750,000 per school for transportation; C) Year round schools. Sanders spoke of keeping the portables at N. Ft. Myers Academy of the Arts doubling its enrollment.
"Pleased to tell you, there are some problems in the district, some problem children, however, most are doing well." Sanders said. "The news brings bad news very quickly to people...for every bad child you hear about, 101 are doing things the right way."
The District's goal is very every third grader reading at grade level. "When we were in school, it was lucky if 30% read at grade level," according to Sanders. Minority students are not moving up as fast.
The state has scored so well on Writing Scores, the state has raised the bar (minimum accepted scores). "We have some challenges in Lee County, but let me tell you one thing, you have teachers who care! Lee County does more training of its employees than anyone in the state," Sanders went on.
Sanders told the audience that prior administrations too all the Capital Improvement Project funds and all maintenance funds to build schools, leaving no funds for taking care of the old buildings. This is partially what led to the problems of the fire code violations. According to Sanders, Lee and Dade Counties were made examples of for fire code violations. "How many children died in a school fire last year? Year before that? Before that? We cannot use the auditorium at Mariner High School because it does not have enough water pressure for the fire sprinkler system."
Sanders said he has made an edict that no more than one million of every two million for new buildings will be used for maintenance of older buildings. The growth of the school population will be handled with current facilities next year. After that, problems will arise.
It cost $35 million and 50 acres to build a high school, $12 to $15 million and 20 acres for an elementary school. To save money, Sanders is proposing realigning schools the old way, K-6, 7-9 and 10-12. This would have less students in high schools, more in the less expensive to build elementary and middle schools.
Sanders offered some of his experience, after leaving education in Michigan, he went to work for an architectural company which designed schools. From this experience Sanders said he learned to build quality schools, to the point of his now believing it is better to "sacrifice classrooms for quality."
The reorganization plan was touched on next by Sanders. He said he was not adding any more people at the top, just changing titles to Assistant Superintendent. There are still fewer employees in administration than there was ten years ago.
In industry, management usually works on a 7 to one ratio, seven employees/departments reporting to one supervisor, Sanders is adjusting the District to a similar model. He also said he is restarting the Curriculum Development office. (According to this year's budget $1.3 million was spent at the administration level for Curriculum Improvement besides having a Curriculum Development teacher in most schools.)
Sanders went on to teachers, saying Florida is 46th in the nation in teacher's pay and Lee county is having a teacher retention problem because of early retirement. According to statistics reported by the Examiner in the November 21 issue, Lee County is above the state average in teacher retention. Lee County is below the state average in teachers with advanced degrees, which raises a question of Sanders' earlier statement about spending more on employee education than other counties, who is being educated? According to several trade publications, Florida has always been a low paying state when compared to other states. One publication called it a "Sunshine compensation" in explaining Florida's low pay.
When asked, Sanders informed the crowd that 94% of the state education taxes paid by citizens of Lee County come back to our county.
The question was asked concerning whether students are being taught just to pass the FCAT's (state standardized tests) and why some students graduate and still can't read. Sanders answered the District catch phrase, "Leave no child behind." He went on to explain that if a person flunks a driving test, wouldn't that person then take the driverÕs handbook and study it? Then take the test again?
As far as a child graduating not knowing how to read, Sanders explanation was some children just wont read, and the student had to pass the FCAT's to graduate so he must be able to read.
The Examiner posed the question from our last editorial, if desegregation was supposed to make all schools equal and give every child the same opportunity, doesn't School Choice reverse that, by having schools compete and offer different educations?
Sanders' response was "Balance through diversity, all three school zones offer equal opportunity." He went on saying how a student needs more credits to graduate today than 20 years ago and how if a student has to take an elective, it might as well be one he wants to take. The school district is committed to school Choice through the 2004 school year by court agreement to deregulate the schools. Sanders admitted School Choice was costly. When brought to Sanders attention that 20 years ago, the United States led the world in technology and education without offering 952 different courses to our students and it may be time for school officials to begin "thinking out of the box." Sanders had no response.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), district One, has scheduled a Design Change Reevaluation Public Hearing for improvements to SR78 (Bayshore Road) from Slater Road to I-75 on April 2 at the Best Western Motel, 13021 N. Cleveland Ave. at 7:00 p.m.
Design Concepts were originally approved in 1993 recommended acquiring most of the right-of-way on the south side of the road. Since approval was obtained, design changes have been proposed which involves right-of-way along the north side of SR 78. The changes are necessary to meet current access management and design standards at several intersections.
Maps, drawings and other pertinent information developed by FDOT will be available for public inspection at the N. Ft. Myers Public Library located at 2001 N. Tamiami Trail during regular operating hours till the day of the Hearing, April 2.
FDOT representatives will be available on April 2 at the Best Western Motel on April 2 from 6:00 p.m. to answer questions and discuss the project. Aerial photographs will be displayed showing both the originally approved concepts as well as the design changes. Following the presentation, an opportunity for public comment will be provided. Public participation is welcomed.
The Lee Memorial Auxiliary awards four new scholarships annually to qualifying high school seniors or those presently enrolled in a school of higher learning. The scholarships are for $2,000 per semester for tuition and books, up to eight semesters.
Scholarship criteria includes enrollment in a Lee County School, entering a program or presently in a program in the medical field, financial need, minimum grade point average of 3.0, community service, ability to communicate and curriculum.
Applications can be picked up at Lee Memorial Hospital, Cleveland Ave., in the south end of the building near the Wellness Center.
For more information call 334-5388.
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.
Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa will again host the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Florida BIG Wine Event & Auction on Saturday, March 23, 2002, sponsored by Key Private Bank/McDonald Investments. This event will raise money for the youth of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Collier counties.
This year four vendors have agreed to provide wine and the resort will provide a traditional Italian buffet for your culinary delight.
Marshall Bower, Deputy State Attorney and Kellie Burns, anchor of NBC news will MC the auction. Live and silent auction items include gift certificates from local restaurants, golf courses, stores and art galleries, hotel and resort accommodations nationwide, framed artwork, area rugs from local floor covering specialists, theater tickets, admission passes to Florida attractions, private cruises, and private tours at California Vineyards. Tony Bennett has once again donated a signed lithograph for the live auction. Tickets are now on sale for $50 per person. For more information, please call Dawn at 941-278-0003, ext. 120.
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 652-6002 To Register call 461-7440 Two New Preschool Classes
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 Pavilion. Call 652-6002 for more information. First walk will be on Monday February 4th at 10 am sharp.
Paying a traffic ticket just got easier in Lee County.
Charlie Green, County Court Clerk for Lee County, today announced the launch of a new Internet-based system and a new interactive voice response ("IVR") telephone system that promises to make paying traffic citations faster and more convenient, while lowering government administrative costs.
"We are very excited about having an easier way for people to take care of their traffic tickets. Not having to come to the office by using the Internet or phone should make paying much better and quicker. Just go to www.leeclerk.org or pick up the phone and call," Green said.
These systems, which will accept credit and debit cards, were developed and will be operated by LINK2GOV Corp., a Nashville, TN-based company that is a leading provider of technologically advanced electronic government solutions that enable citizens and businesses to complete transactions with government entities over the Internet or telephone.
Link2Gov President Tom Tarver said, "We are delighted to be associated with Lee County, and we are confident of the ability of our systems to improve citizen access to government while reducing costs. We believe we are helping to redefine how citizens and business will interact with government in the future."
The Clerk of the Circuit Court, established by the Florida Constitution of 1838, is the public trustee for the county. The Clerk provides the checks and balances in county government by acting as Clerk to the Board, Clerk to the Court, Keeper of the Public Records, Comptroller and Internal Auditor of county funds. In continuing efforts to deliver cost-effective, efficient services to constituents, the Lee County ClerkÕs Office is employing state-of-the-art technologies enabling citizens to pay for traffic tickets from the comfort of their home or office over the Internet or telephone. The new services are available for immediate use by citizens.
To access the Internet system, citizens should go to www.leeclerk.org, click on "Court Offices" then "Traffic Fines" and follow the simple directions. Citizens can also make traffic citation payments over the telephone by dialing 1-800-748-9110 on a touch-tone telephone and responding to the recorded instructions. Users will be charged a small convenience fee for each transaction.
LCEC is seeking four college interns for the 2002 Summer Intern Program. The internship positions are paid, full time positions and are estimated to last eight weeks in duration. In order to qualify, candidates must be at least 18-years-old and must be either enrolled in college by fall 2002, currently enrolled or a recent graduate.
Interns will work at LCEC’s corporate headquarters in North Fort Myers and will have the opportunity to interact with several departments throughout the company. LCEC’s college-level internship program offers college students an opportunity to earn extra money during the summer, while getting a glimpse into a real-world work environment.
Two positions are available in the Accounting department - interns will be responsible for various clerical and data entry tasks.
One position is available in the Customer Information Services department - the intern will be responsible for daily administrative support of the department.
One position is available in the Engineering/Power Supply department - the intern will be responsible for filing, drafting, database updating and support.
"We try to place students in a position that best matches their interests," LCEC Human Resources Administrator Jane Hillabrant said. "This is a great opportunity for college students to receive real-world work experience."
For more information about LCEC’s Summer Internship Program, contact Jane Hillabrant at 656-2235 or 1-800-282-1643 ext. 235.
The Florida Wind Quintet will make its Fort Myers debut Sunday, March 24, as the finale of the 2002 UU Performing Arts Society concert series. The quintet, including Betsy Hudson Traba, flute, Michael Austin, oboe, Bharat Chandra, clarinet, Fernando Traba, bassoon, and Lydia Van Dreel, horn, will perform at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church, at 13411 Shire Lane, off Daniels Parkway east of I-75 in Fort Myers. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students and may be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 275-2640. A reception for the performers will follow the concert.
Founded in 1984, the Florida Wind Quintet is the resident woodwind quintet of Sarasota’s Florida West Coast Symphony, the oldest symphony orchestra in Florida. The March 24 program features the works of Haydn, Bach, Ravel, Beethoven, D'Rivera and Fernandez. The UU Performing Arts Society concert series was established in 1999 to offer quality programming at affordable prices, showcasing local professional talent whenever possible. All performances are staged in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church, known for its excellent acoustics and elegant ambience.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill announces a support group meeting on Monday, March 11 for persons diagnosed with a mental illness. The meeting is at New Wings Activity Center, 3590 Evans Ave., Carrell Corners Shopping Center, Ft. Myers. The meeting if from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There is no cost and no reservations are necessary. Call 278-0981 for further information.
Florida Future Problem Solvers converged at Trafalgar Middle School on Saturday, February 23, for the annual Southwest Florida Regional Competition. This year's topic was organ donation, and teams of four students from grades 4 - 12 were invited to come and compete for three division slots open for the State Bowl in Orlando in April. Teams spent the morning sequestered with nothing but a scenario of the future and a blank booklet to write cooperatively a 20-page document addressing challenges presented by organ donation and devise the best solutions. In the afternoon each team created a skit advocating their best solution using a predetermined set of materials for props and incorporating two mystery items for props in their 4-minute presentation.
Winning teams were:
High School Division, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts; Monica Hill, Karen Stewart, Tristan Laznovsky, Jacob Pittman, Coach Cathy Cochrane
Middle School Division, Trafalgar Middle School; Tim Flynn, David Chessrown, Ashely VanGraafeiland, Stephanie Nappi, Coach Sue Tracy
Junior Division, The Sanibel School, Carl Von Harten, James Shannon, Kimberly Greenplate, David Bilske, Coach Tylor Compton
These three teams of students will advance to the State Bowl in Orlando on April 7-10 to compete on the problem of environmental law.
Lee County citizens now have improved access to items being voted on by the Board of Lee County Commissioners at its regular weekly meetings.
The complete weekly agenda packages now are being posted online at www.lee-county.com. Under "Lee County Information" click the link to "Lee County BOCC Agendas & Minutes Online," then click "BOCC Meeting Agenda with all backup online." The direct link is http://www.lee-county.com/meetings.
The packages include the Board agenda, the one-page description of each item the Commission is being asked to approve, and all of the supporting documentation, including contracts, agreements and legal documents.
Board agendas and backup routinely run several hundred pages.
All this information now will be available from your home with the click of a button.
In the past, citizens wanting access to all of the backup information had to come down to the Lee County Administration Building in downtown Fort Myers.
"This will make access much easier, not only for those who closely follow county government, but also for those residents who are following a particular issue that affects their area," said Libby Walker, the county's manager of Public Resources.
This is one of many technological innovations the county has developed over the last several years to make county government information more accessible and improve communication with the public. Other online applications at the county's website include: All county ordinances (local laws)
The Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code (searchable by keyword)
The Library SystemÕs card catalogue
Human Services Directory (searchable database of local agencies)
Parks & Recreation programs and facilities online registration (coming later this month)
Department of Transportation "Requests for Action" - complete an online request for service
Financial documents - annual budget book, revenue manual, debt manual
Weekly agendas, board minutes, and advisory committee descriptions
County job applications - apply online.
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, NorthFort Myers.
Butterfly Gardening
Thursday, March 14, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn how to have your own butterfly garden, presented by Gerri Sanzone, Florida Master Gardener. The beauty and tranquility of maintaining a butterfly garden can be a very rewarding and relatively easy outdoor activity. Sanzone will demonstrate the steps you can take to have your own beautiful butterfly garden.
Book Discussion - Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca
Thursday, March 21, 2 p.m.
Rebecca is a novel of mystery and passion, a dark psychological tale of secrets, betrayal, dead loves, and an estate called Manderley. Registration is required, so please call 997-0320 to reserve your space.Registrationrequired Kids' Club: North Fort Myers Olympics
Thursday, March 7, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Stretch your body and mind with activities and games. Try for a medal and have some fun! For children ages 6+. Preregistration requested.
Am I the only one slowly getting fed up with teachers bemoaning what a poor lot in life they have? How poorly they are paid, how bad it is students are tested and teachers graded on it? How they are overworked and in poor conditions?
Give me a break!
Lets start with pay. In Lee County the starting wage is $29,000 a year. We'll compare that to an average employee in the private sector. We'll assume a 40 hour work week, letting aside any work either teachers or private sector may do at home and any overtime versus stipends for teachers for extracurricular activities or awards.
Private sector gets two weeks vacation, after the first year and the seven basic holidays, leaving 243 work days divided into $29,000 salary is $119.34 a day pay. Teachers have many more holidays, two weeks at Christmas, a week at Spring Break. Students are in school 180 days, which teachers work, the two weeks before school starts, one week after throw in a few Teacher Work days. We'll be nice and say 210 work days, allowing thirty more days than students at school. Teachers are paid $138.10 per day or almost $20 a day more than the private sector.
$20 dollars a day more and off for a week around the holidays and an extended summer vacation, teachers are complaining about what again?
Student testing or, since its the employee complaining about it, accountability. Lee County Schools (teachers) graduate 67.8% of their students. How many businesses could survive failing their customers one-third of the time? Yes, a student can be compared to a customer, the teachers are there to serve them an education.
In the private sector, employees are judged (or are accountable) by the product they produce and the quality of it. Few if any businesses offer tenure to employees like teachers have. A guaranteed employment no matter how they perform their job. An employee who fails one-third of the time is soon seeking a new job.
Testing students each year not only measures the students progress toward graduation, it also measures the teacher's performance that year, accountability, something those employed in the private sector are well aware of.
Of late, we have all heard how teachers are concerned over health care benefits. Its a shame the media doesn't take the same concern over the average worker in the private sector and how their benefits have been trimmed back over the past several years. Health care costs are skyrocketing, few private employers offer the same package they did a few years ago, few could afford too.
For the private sector to keep or raise employee benefits, they would have to raise the cost of their product or service, business has to decide if the market will bare the price increase. Teachers just want to raise taxes.
Let me stop here and take the time to thank those teachers who do a superb job, who feel teaching is still a noble profession and do an outstanding job with their students. When writing in generalities, the good get painted with the same brush as the bad, for that, the Examiner apologizes.
We need education reform in this county. More money and higher taxes is not the answer, accountability is. Accountability not only in the classrooms, but throughout the system. The mind set of educators is outdated. It would be nice if the School Board positions paid enough to attract top notch business minds.
After listening to Dr. Sanders speak, it was obvious he brings nothing new to the system, that he is incapable of changing outside of the established system. As Lee Iaccoca transformed Chrysler and the American automobile industry, Lee County School District needs the same drastic changes.
It is painfully obvious we do not need to offer 952 different courses to students. Not when the basics of math, reading and writing are the cost. America took the technological lead of the world in past generations, we are now losing our edge, why, the way we educate our youth. While other countries demand excellence in education, we have lowered our expectations. Countries like Japan create competition for grades, we grade on a curve.
Wake up educators, the people don't want higher taxes, but accountability for what you are already getting.
by Tom Comingore (token democrat)
I usually don't pass on E-mails that I receive but this one from my friend Kim was just right up my alley and I really wanted to share it with you. The year is 1902, one hundred years ago, what a difference a century makes. Here are the U.S. statistics for 1902.
The average life expectancy in the US was forty-seven (47).
Only 14 Percent of the homes in the US had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
There were only 8,000 cars in the US and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California. With a mere 1.4 million residents, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in the US was 22 cents an hour.
The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births in the US took place at home.
Ninety percent of all US physicians had no college education. Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard."
Sugar cost four cents a pound. Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. Coffee cost fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
The five leading causes of death in the US were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3.Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30.
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented.
There were no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
One in ten US adults couldn't read or write. Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at corner drugstores. According to one pharmacist, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and the bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health."
Eighteen percent of households in the US had at least one full-time servant or domestic.
There were only about 230 reported murders in the entire US.
Many thanks, Kim and best wishes for the next 100 years go out to the future generations. Who knows what changes will take place in the next 100 years.
Mars anyone?
You can Email Tom TComin1551@aol.com
Dear Editor:
This letter is in response to the Coffee Chat column of February 27. I have had a cordial discussion with the writer and told him I would write the true facts about his article.
He states that in 1967, he attended a synagogue and the rabbi informed them of a coming war wit the Palestinians as he collected money for a War Fund. Israel has never informed anyone of any kind of action in advance. They would be cutting their own throats and I know Israeli planners are smarter than that.
In 1967, there was no war against Palestinians. The Six Day War was a pre-emptive action against the Arab nations led by Nasser, who was arming to invade Israel for the third time. Egypt had ordered UN Peace keepers out of Sinai, closed the Straits of Turin, took command of the Jordanian Army and moved 100,000 troops into the Sinai facing Israel. The world was aware what was happening and was surprised when Israel attacked first.
It took six days for Israel to beat the combined armies of Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. No Palestinians were involved.
Comingore states that 35 years later the fighting between Israel is and Palestinians continue. He forgets a Treaty at Oslo was signed by Rabin and Arafat. Again, Arafat never lived up to agreement.
The United States got involved and under President Clinton an excellent offer was made by Prime Minister Barac to Arafat which was again turned down. The Palestinians in their present day maps show all of Israel as Palestine.
The Palestinians teach terrorism in their schools and use terroristic tactics (ie: suicide bombers) against civilian targets while the Israelis react against military and terrorists targets.
Comingore said the land belonged to the Palestinians. According to the Old Testament believed by Hebrews, Christians and Moslems, Jehovah promised and gave the land to the Israelites. The only residents before the Jews were the Canaanites, who no longer exists. The Assyrians dispersed the tribes of Israel.
In 1948, with the backing of the United Nations, the children of Israel reclaimed their heritage. Where there was once desert in 1948, there are now modern cities, colleges, parks, hospitals and modern industry and roads. Now, all people of all faiths can pray in the Holy Land.
We all pray for a just peace where Israelis and Palestinians can live next to each other, help each other, and prosper together.
Mike Tisherman
Dear Editor:
I was appalled to read that Louis Roos was a candidate for the school board. WasnÕt he chief union negotiator for the agreement that permitted the 140% increase in teacher health care costs? He must be a great politician to help create a problem, then run against it as part of the solution...I presume that he has done enough damage to the employees so he has earned a place in management.
The worst aspect of his candidacy is his statement that the current Board needs "members with people skills". It is the current members with "people skills" who gave us the 140% increase in health care costs, the $7 million fire alarm fiasco, transferred the $4 million out of the insurance fund to the general fund, kept minutes of the agreement off the internet, etc...
We don't need people skills but big business and financial skills. They can recognize and prevent the continuing crisis. We need people with real world solutions rather than small town, small minded politicians we usually elect.
The school system is big business with a $650 million dollar budget, 8,000 employees, millions in plant and equipment which requires big business expertise with heavy accent in money matters.
Mr. Roos' negotiating efforts prove him unfit to guide his students' piggy banks.
Peter Hare
Chuck,
This evening I too resolved to become a non member of the Civic Association.
Reason? The Chamber this and the Chamber that...... Karen Landis I hope, does not think I am against the Civic Association, because I'm not but under the current gist of the Chamber this and that ..... I was also told the by laws say a person who has an intrest in the community can be on the board...ie they have been on other boards somewhere and now may sit on the Civic board???!!!??? Well, obviously I did not do so great in History....or else the teachers fooled me alot. Any who I just thought you'd like to know
I still support the Examiner and what the Civic Association started out to do, but became sidetracked in doing...
Andria White,
Community Bail Bonds
February 23 Pondella Road & Monica, David Wayne Mines was arrested for DUI, habitual traffic violator and driving without a license. February 24 N. Cleveland Ave., Richard Alan Spanos was arrested for Dui physical control, DUI personal injury and DUI property damage. Hart & Gish, Joseph Arthur Dore was arrested for a bench warrant. Hart & Gish, Roy Lee Mays was arrested for failure to comply. February 25 1395 Torreta Cr., Clevie Bryant was arrested for failure to appear. February 26 Marx Dr., Juan L. DeJesus was arrested for no drivers license. 15201 N. Cleveland Ave., Debbie Delois Sutton was arrested for loitering and prowling. 545 Pine Island Rd., Kashavana Shekia Wilson was arrested for retail theft. 545 Pine Island Rd., Lucinda Lester was arrested for retail theft. February 27 8126 Ebson Dr., Robert Ritenburg was arrested for a bench warrant. February 28 N. Cleveland Ave. & Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Jeraldo Winston was arrested for false report of a commission of a crime. 19281 Maple St., Daniel John Monforto was arrested for four failure to appears. 5000 Orange Grove Blvd., Richard Allen Young Jr., was arrested for possession of cocaine. March 2 1019 Lovely Lane, Keith J. Hernandez was arrested for driving while license was suspended and attempting to elude. 888 Poinsettia Dr., Taana Lee Carlson was arrested for battery. Lee County Civic Center, Timothy John Reeves was arrested for felony battery. US 41 and SR78, Kathleen A. Danaby was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Stockton and Pacific, Dale C. McCattery was arrested for DUI. March 3 Laurel Dr. & Garden St., Anthony Martinez was arrested for possession of marijuana. March 4 2631 N. Tamiami Trail, Douglas Paul Selander was arrested for trespassing after warning. March 5 East North Shore and N. Tamiami Trail, Noemi Estelle Serrano was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. March 6 1844 N. Tamiami Trail, James Daniel Florian was arrested for two warrants and obstruction of justice. Suncoast & Laurel Lane, Joseph C. Paczyck was arrested for failure to appear and out of state warrant. 1563 Ixora Dr., Jean Dibbs was arrested for grand theft. 5660 Bayshore Rd., James Hession was arrested for trespass after warning. N. Tamiami Trail and Powell, James Robert Havens was arrested for two warrants. March 7 Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Michael E. Smith was arrested for tag attached not assigned to vehicle, altered tag and unlawful use of a temporary tag. 192 Crescent Lake Dr., James D. Wigfalls was arrested for violation of probation. 7852A Ebson Dr., Jacob Alverez was arrested for battery/domestic violence. March 8 Hancock Bridge Pkwy. & Moody, John Frederick DÕAlessio was arrested for DUI.
Chuck,
I have received a lot of flack from a lot of people over your comment on veterans in your Opinion column (February 27, 2002). Now that you have made it quite clear that you don't consider veteransÕ affairs to be in the North Fort Myers community's interest, I must decline to furnish the Examiner with further VHV's columns.
Nevertheless, I want to thank you for the opportunity you gave to the vets to have their own column in the Examiner.
Don Gill
The Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Island X-8 in Lee County will have a non-smoking luncheon meeting on Monday, March 25 at noon at the Holiday Inn Select, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Ft. Myers.
Wives and visiting Seabees are welcome to attend.
All Seabee veterans in Lee and Collier Counties are welcome to attend and share their service experiences.
The next monthly meeting will be held at noon, Monday, April 22 at Holiday Inn Select.
Reservations for the luncheon are required. For reservations or information call Raymond reed at 731-1901.
United Veterans of Lee County will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. at the Harney Point VFW Post 8463 located at 4706 SE 11th Place, Cape Coral.
Guest speaker will be Klaus Kohl, President of the German American club who will speak on his organizations plans and programs. The Membership Committee will report on its plans and programs for the Lee County Veterans Conference on April 7 at Buccaneer Estates. All veteran, social, fraternal and civic associations are invited to attend for input to veteran's springtime activities.
Former officers and crew of the USS Georgetown (AG-165/AGTR-2) will have a reunion April 11-14 in Key West Fl. Info at ussgeorgetown.com, jmerrill@jmerrill.net (web master) Also Hank Tapken e-mail tbirdlake@aol.com or 941-945-2891.
The N. Ft. Myers Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly Luncheon and Membership meeting on Wednesday, March 13 at 11:30 a.m. at Pinchers Crab Shack located at the Best Western Motel on N. Cleveland Ave. The guest speaker will be Doug Kappish speaking on 401(K) and IRAÕs.
Lee County School's Superintendent Dr. John Sanders will be the featured speaker at monthly Ft. Myers Republican Women's Club meeting on Tuesday, march 19. He will discuss the school's literacy program and how it fits into President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" campaign. A question and answer period will follow.
Reservations for the FMRW luncheon, held at the Helm Club, The Landings, are required by Friday, March 15, included are an 11:30 a.m. social hour, 12:00 lunch, business meeting and candidate forum. The cost is $13.00. Call 489-4701 for reservations. For more information about the Ft. Myers LRW contact Marilyn Stout at 549-5629
The public is invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Lee Republican Women Federated (LRW) on Monday, March 18. Members are invited to bring guests to this annual informational meeting about membership in the political organization. In addition, Dawn McCurdy, Lee County elections Office, will explain the new touch-screen voting machines, everyone will have the opportunity to use the new machines.
Reservations for the LRW luncheon, held at the Holiday Inn Bell Tower, are required by Wednesday, March 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.
Sierra Club Calusa Group meets every 2nd Thursday of the month (March 14, April 11, 2002, etc.) at the Calusa Nature Center, 3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, FL. Directions - 1 block west of I-75 exit 22 (Colonial Blvd.), 1st intersection turn North on Ortiz Ave. Nature Center is immediately on left.
For questions please call Connie at 941 694-8192.
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.
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!
The Boy Scouts of America, Southwest Florida Council, celebrates its 35th Anniversary during an open house on Saturday, March 23, from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 pm.. The celebration will be held at the council office, 1801 Boy Scout Drive, Ft. Myers.
The Southwest Florida Council serves more than 20,000 youth with 4,000 volunteers in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hendry, Sarasota and Manatee Counties. For more information call 936-8072 or visit www.swflcouncilbsa.org on the internet.
The N. Ft. Myers High School Band Boosters are having a Car Show to help raise money on Saturday, March 23 from noon to 5:00 p.m. A concession stand will be open. The band has more than doubled in size since last year and are in desperate need of instruments, repairs and supplies. Come support the Marching Knights.
ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) will host their annual Farm Day on Saturday, March 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for the entire family to learn about tropical agriculture and world hunger solutions.
There will be free tours and special workshops on herbs, landscaping with edible plants and container gardening throughout the day.
ECHO is a 47 acre demonstration farm, where they show techniques for growing food in difficult conditions, such as areas where it is too dry, too hilly or too wet.
The ECHO farm is located off Bayshore Road at 17391 Durrance Road, one mile east of I-75. For more information call 543-3246.
Commissioner Andy Coy will host two Open Houses. Thursday, march 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lee County Government Center in Cape Coral, 1039 SE 9th Ave., and Friday, March 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at his office in the Old Courthouse, 2120 main St., Ft. Myers.
Come in and spend a few minutes with your commissioner to discuss ideas, goals or concerns you may have.
The Easter Story, depicting the Passion story of Jesus, will be presented in a live drive-through viewing, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 21, 22, and 23 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2691 Pine Island Rd., one mile west of N. Cleveland Ave.
The public is invited to drive through the live, ten scene diorama which depicts the life of Jesus, his suffering, death and resurrection. The diorama is presented as a gift to the community and has a large cast, with wonderful costumes. The presentation will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. each evening. A free-will donation is welcome.
The Herons Glen Chorus, under the direction of Erich Bredehoeft, Players, directed by Patricia Clapton and Tappers, directed by Ellie Down are gearing up for what promises to be the biggest and best production ever presented.
This year's extravaganza, "Hey Look Us Over" will feature Ms. Clapton and Bill Mosgrove as Abbey and Albert Arbuckle, who offer a slice of retirement life at its best while showcasing talented residents performing familiar songs, skits, novelty numbers and dances.
Reserved seat tickets cost $7.00 are available at the Herons Glen Activities Office in the clubhouse Monday through Friday. Performances dates are March 22 and 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the ballroom theater. For more information, contact Noelle Knight at 731-4519.
What makes the color green green, or red red. On March 16, the Children's Science Center will explore the science of color and light. Children will take home a prism and make their own color wheel.
The programs will run form 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. The fee is $5.00 per child (non-members) or $2.00 per child (members) covers materials and admission (adults attend for free). Appropriate for children ages 6 to 12. At least one parent must attend with their child. Space is limited and reservations are suggested by calling 997-0012.
The Children's Science Center is located at 2915 Pine Island Rd., just west of Merchants Crossing.
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