The North Fort Myers Civic Association held its monthly membership meeting on Monday, October 15, State representative Bruce Kyle was the guest speaker.
The meeting opened with a brief update from the Lee County SheriffÕs Department, there have been no confirmed biohazard incidents in Lee County. Halloween will go on as usual as far as the Sheriff's Department is concerned.
They have had an increase in calls since September 11 and public awareness of criminal activities has heightened. The phone number to the new local substation is 477-1810. Committee reports were given. Volunteers for the 4th of July Parade Committee were asked for. The Incorporation Committee is still looking for more members. It was stressed that the committee is not for or against incorporation, it is just exploring the possibility of doing it. One does not need to be a member of the Civic Association to be on the Incorporation Committee, they are hoping to have a broad spectrum of the community represented.
State Representative Bruce Kyle was next. He opened by announcing that it was the last week for the redistricting hearings across the state, they were holding meetings in the panhandle last week. If anyone would like to have their ideas included in the public record for redistricting, they should write a letter to Representative Kyle and he would make sure it was included.
Kyle was hopeful that at least his district would be changed, with the census figures, his district is lacking in population.
The legislature was called into special session this week, Governor Bush is expecting a shortfall of tax revenues for the state from the after effects of the events September 11. Florida's budget is based mainly on sales tax, of which tourists contribute to. With tourism down, sales tax revenues will be also. They are predicting a $1.3 billion shortfall in this yearÕs budget and at least $1.5 billion in next year's.
Kyle said, "Every departments budget will have to be cut, the education budget will not be cut as much as others. I look for new programs that have yet to be implemented to be cut. It is easier to cut a program yet to be begun than to cut existing programs." Kyle disagrees with raising taxes to meet the downfall. "Personally I believe this will be a two year ordeal, then things will pretty much be back to normal."
Kyle reiterated his withdrawal of running for Porter Goss' Congressional seat. "Porter Goss was born and bred for this moment in time," Kyle said, referring to Goss' background in the CIA and intelligence community. Kyle went on to say he hoped Goss runs for another term in Congress.
As far as his own political future, Kyle told the members that a new State Senatorial seat should be made for this area. He is waiting for the state redistricting to be complete before making any announcements.
When asked about the ongoing controversy between the Lee County School Board and whether they are getting enough funds, Kyle said the sate is going to audit every school district in the state, he is working on moving up Lee County's audit to 2003 or 04. He was asked about the state audit from a few years ago of the school board and how damning it was. Kyle said he didn't believe many of the suggestions from it were implemented by the current administration.
One of the honors the staff of the Lee County Examiner has is meeting the people who live in N. Ft. Myers and strive to make it a better place to live and do business. It is a pleasure to report on the deeds of these people and to have the opportunity to meet them.
The Lee County EXAMINER and the North Fort Myers Civic Association are proud to be sponsoring the 6th Annual N. Ft. Myers "Citizen of the Year." The N. Ft. Myers "Citizen of the Year" recognizes the individuals that gave of themselves to benefit all of N. Ft. Myers. We ask that any organization or individual nominate any person they feel has given of their time, talents and energy to benefit our community of North Fort Myers. They must be a resident of N. Ft. Myers!
All nominations should include the name, address and phone number of the individual, the reason for nominating the individual (what they have done for the community) and a contact name and phone number of the person or organization doing the nominating. The more complete and detailed your written nomination, the better chance your nominee has to be chosen as one of the three finalist.
Nominations will be accepted until November 1, 2001. Nominations may be mailed or delivered to the Lee County EXAMINER, 72 Pondella Road, Suite 108, N. Ft. Myers, FL 33903.
All nominations will then be reviewed by a select committee to narrow the candidates down to the three they feel most deserving by the works and deeds the nominees have performed for our community. The ballot and a short biography will appear in the November 7 and November 21 editions of the Lee County EXAMINER, so everyone may vote for their choice of Citizen of the Year. All votes must be cast by November 28, 2001.
Join us in honoring N. Ft. Myers Citizen of the Year at a banquet hosted by the North Fort Myers Civic Association , on Thursday, November 29, 2000. Lois Thome, Anchorwoman for WINK News at 6 and 11:00 will be the guest speaker. Tickets may be purchased from any N. Ft. Myers Civic Association member or by calling 656-5569 or 656-5029 and leave a message. Ticket price is $20 per person and includes a choice of chicken or prime rib, salad, vegetables, rolls, coffee or tea and dessert. At no charge is the enjoyment of a room full of the movers and shakers of N. Ft. Myers.
A cocktail begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 7:00. The program to recognize the doers in N. Ft. Myers will start after dinner. Besides honoring the N. Ft. Myers Citizen of the Year, The N. Ft. Myers Civic Association will honor a Deputy of the Year for the North District and a Merchant of the Year from N. Ft. Myers.
Past winners of the Citizen of the Year are; Ruth Garcia, Betty Blanchette, Forrest Wilt, Bobbie Dewey, Tom Mere and Joe Devine. It is always difficult to select just one person when so many are so deserving. That is why the Examiner asks our readers for the nominations and then again to vote on who they feel is N. Ft. Myers Citizen of the Year.
Last year's Deputy of the Year was Deputy Terry Eller. 2000's Merchant of the Year was the LYNX.
It is but a small way we can honor those who do so much to make N. Ft. Myers a better place to be.
On Tuesday, October 9, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. the Bayshore Fire District Commission met for its monthly meeting.
Minutes for the previous meetings on the budget (August 20, September 6, and September 10) and the August 14 Commission meeting were approved as written. There was no meeting in September. The 2001-2002 budget was passed: the millage rate of 2.5 was unchanged since last year's budget and the amount of the budget was set at $558,851.09 for the district. The minutes indicate all Commissioners except for Clyde Bowles favored the budget resolution.
Clyde Bowles announced he withdrew his resignation from the Commission. He did confirm that he would resign after he was elected to the Board of County Commissioners. He has announced he is a candidate for the seat being vacated by Andrew Coy, who announced he intends to run for Representative Porter Goss's seat in 2002. Also, Bowles said there was some more business that he needed to finish up which he thought was already finished but wasn't. The Board accepted Bowles' withdrawal of his resignation. In the financial report, the check registers for August and September were reviewed by the Board. Chief Jorgensen announced that starting in November a complete financial report would be presented. Software for the financial report was the reason for the lack of an overall picture. The August check register shows that the law firm handling the cases of Ian Hickin and Rick Ramsey was sent another $4000. This case is the certification revocation of both fire fighters for fraudulent documentation of course work. Former Chief Hickin according to the records earned over $2592 in August at the department. Mr. Hickin had agreed to a $12,000 settlement package when he resigned earlier this year. The final $6,000 is due upon satisfactory completion of the state's case against him. The District had agreed to pay out of District funds the legal fees for Hickin and Ramsey but not the costs. The Florida Association of Special Districts, according to Charles Profilet in a communication to Bayshore, has denied assistance to cover the legal bills. The district's insurance agent, Gary Wolfe of Edison Insurance, has been contacted concerning coverage of the bills; a claim must be filed to get an answer.
Chief Jorgensen prepared a storm plan for the district in case of a major storm. Details of personnel, evacuation, and recovery for Bayshore were given to the Commissioners. Chief Jorgensen presented the re-codification plans to the Board as well. For $6-$8,000 the work started years ago will be completed by the law firm of Lewis, Longman, and Walker, PA-the same firm that is handling the Hickin-Ramsey certification case. The District must complete the re-codification by next year. The District was given five years to complete this; however, four years has gone by already. Commissioner Bowles could not remember if the state ever sent a handbook on this procedure. All records, resolutions, financial, etc. must be reviewed in this procedure and handed to the state legislature. He said, he had asked Terry Lenick, the District's lawyer on retainer, to handle this but Mr. Lenick declined. The Commissioner agreed to let Lewis, Longman, and Walker, PA do the work.
Another addition to the 2001-02 budget is the November election. According to past years, about $8,000 is needed to hold the election in Bayshore. Details were unclear about the election payment schedule but Chief Jorgensen agreed to check them before the next meeting.
In other matters, the chief announced the total for the Boot Drive for the victims in New York/September 11 attack was $4,303.00. He thanked everyone who was involved in the Memorial Service at the Lee Civic Center for fallen Firefighters and other Rescue Personnel.
Former Chief Hickin gave the Commissioners an update on the progress of the case of Rick Ramsey and himself. On November 8 and 9 the case will be heard in Ft. Myers in a teleconference. Commissioner Bowles spoke to the state's case being started by a former, disgruntled employee who really just "wanted to bring the department down." Hickin said, "I am glad to get the hearing over with..finally we will be heard. The state has rescheduled now three times and they know they don't have a case against us."
The total bill for the district and the Hickin- Ramsey defense is estimated to run up to $25,000 to $30,000. Without the final resolution of the matter, the Board could not really establish a final amount. Commissioner Bowles guaranteed continued District support for the two men.
At its October meeting, the N. Ft. Myers Fire District Commissioners heard the storm damage from T. F. Gabrielle: 80 homes in Division I (N. Ft. Myers and Bayshore) were damaged with the total for the division of $232, 418.00
All Commissioners attended the meeting on the 15th at 5:05 p.m.at Station 1 at 42 Willis Road: Chairman Leroy Nottingham, Commissioner Hoke, Commissioner Ballard, Commissioner Mere, and Commissioner Baker.
Minutes of the September meeting were approved. In the financial report, it was reported that the department was 100% through the budget year, 77% of the revenues were received, and 95 % of the expenditures made.
Chief Noble showed the Commissioners the type of new radios to be used by the department. Each Motorola radio costs $ 36,500. The chief told the Board that 16 radios were purchased; however, before 22 were used. And, in order to lower the monthly $25.00 user fee, only 16 of the old ones would be used. Lee County could activate those not used in a second or two. Several employees continue in their training programs.
Chief Terry Pye announced that two classes of CERT teams are close to graduation. At the next Commission meeting he hoped to have the class members there to graduate. Buccaneer Estates and Lake Fairways are the two mobile home parks with the Community Emergency Response Teams. The damage from Gabrielle was $232,418. and 80 homes had significant damage. Both Bayshore and N. Ft. Myers are included in the storm report. The department had 477 runs for the month and brings the year’s total to 4,655.
Fire Marshall Rick Jones’ report reflected that Northern Tool and Equipment was now open. Other businesses continue their upgrades. Inspection fees to date total $8,724.00. Public Education Officer Marie Hagan explained her recent trips to area schools: Bayshore, Good Shepherd, Tropic Isles and Sonrise Day Care. For the tenth year, the Fire Safety Video Contest has been funded by Lee County Fire Marshal’s Association.
The Commissioners decided to discuss their honorarium at the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at about 5:45 p.m.
On Saturday, November 3, 2001, members of Chi Omega Sorority will hold a yard sale at Bayshore Community Chapel to benefit the clothing project for children in the area. The group, a part of the national Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, has started the Carrousel Clothes Hanger so that school resource people can have a central place to pick up clothing for children who need it.
Donations of “treasurers,” clothing, or cash can be arranged by calling 731-1430. The yard sale will run from 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. at the church parking lot on November 3. Bayshore Community Chapel is located close to Pioneer Village on Samville Road, off Bayshore Road.
Do you like people? Then VITA may be just what you are looking for. VITA - Volunteer Income tax Assistance is a program that involves volunteers from many walks of life to help taxpayers who cannot afford professional tax assistance.
VITA helps those with special needs. VITA volunteers explain many special credits and deductions and how people may claim them on their tax returns. In fact, volunteers will help individuals complete their return, right down to any refund that may be due.
The IRS provides VITA volunteers with free instruction and all the training materials necessary to prepare basic income tax returns. Training generally is conducted in December and the following January. Training is conducted at locations that are convenient for the instructors and volunteers.
Volunteers also are needed to help in other ways. Some volunteers organize sites, while others only do publicity for a site. VITA assistance is generally provided at schools, churches, libraries and other neighborhood locations.
If you would like to volunteer for the VITA program or would like more information, please contact the IRS at 954-423-7627.
The Board of Lee County Commissioners (the Board) tentatively agreed Tuesday to a structure for an ongoing Smart Growth process that would be administered through County Administration with input from a Board-appointed advisory committee.
A Smart Growth county department would be created with an executive director. The department would report directly to the County Manager.
The Board will formally vote next Tuesday (Oct. 23) on the job description for the executive director and salary range.
A Smart Growth Advisory Committee also will be created, with each Commissioner appointing three members. In addition, the county is seeking a representative from the School Board to sit on the committee and one County Commissioner also would serve as a voting member - making it a 17-member group.
The Board of County Commissioners is seeking letters of interest from anyone wishing to serve on the committee. The deadline for letters of interest is Nov. 30, with appointments made by Dec. 15. Residents interested in serving can contact their district Commissioner or any of the Commissioners, or pick up a committee application from Lee County Public Resources, 1st floor of the County Administration Building, 2115 Second Street in downtown Fort Myers. Applications formally submitted through Public Resources will be provided to all of the County Commissioners for review.
The goal of Smart Growth is to achieve a good balance between community livability, economic viability, and environmental sensitivity. One of its keys is proactive, inclusive, community-supported growth management.
Working groups open to participation by all residents that have been meeting for the past year will continue to meet and have input under the new process. The working groups are: Environmental Quality, Land Use, Transportation, Water Supply and Community Character.
The Board set aside up to $340,000 in the county's Fiscal Year 2001-02 Budget to spend on the Smart Growth Initiative. A detailed budget will be prepared in the coming months. The Board also tentatively agreed to sunset the Smart Growth Initiative after two years, and review its progress after one year to determine whether funding should be continued.
The Interpark Council of N. Ft. Myers Mobile Home Parks will meet for the first time this season on Friday, October 26, 2001, at 1:00 p.m. at Horizons on Littleton Road. Topics for discussion will be legislative issues, FMO news, and anything brought up by people who attend.
The meeting is open to members and anyone can visit. Please call 995-7149 for details.
The Clerk's Office is pleased to announce the addition of a new Interactive Voice Response Telephone system. You can reach the new system by dialing 335-2283. As before, the new system provides general information concerning various offices of the clerk. In addition, it provides specific detailed case information for traffic, small claims, tenant evictions and county court cases. Some of the new information available through the IVR system is:
Specific case information on small claims, county court cases, Court Dates, Defendant Listing, Defendant Service, Defaults.
Specific case information on traffic citations, Court Dates, Fines Due, Options for Traffic School, Driver's License Suspensions.
If you are listening to a recording, and you need to speak directly to a clerk, you can press zero during or after hearing a script and it will forward you to a clerk for the department. The new system provides an efficient tool to retrieve case information and provide quick access to a clerk.
For more information about the Clerk's Office, visit its web page at www.leeclerk.org
From coast to coast, deregulation and California's energy woes have sparked new interest in electric cooperatives, which are recognizing October as National Electric Cooperative Month.
LCEC's North Fort Myers customers already know the advantages of being a member of a cooperative, but others are only now becoming acquainted with the cooperative way of doing business. Cooperatives are non-profit entities that are owned by their members and solely exist to serve member needs.
Electric cooperatives have played an essential part in our history. They cropped up nationwide in the 1930s and 1940s to bring power to rural areas that other power companies did not deem profitable.
LCEC was formed more than 60 years ago when orange grove owner George Judd sold his power plant to his neighbors who were unable to obtain electricity from FPL. LCEC has grown with Southwest Florida and has become the third largest electric cooperative in the nation.
Today, member-owned nonprofit electric utilities operate in 46 states and 80 percent of the nation's counties. In Florida, approximately 17 electric cooperatives provide low-cost electric service to more than 1.4 million people.
The movement has reached well beyond its rural roots. Officials have been in California working with disillusioned energy consumers who want to set up additional electric co-ops there. They hope to find better electric deals by aggregating their buying power. Working together to find solutions that benefit the community is the cooperative way, and LCEC has been living it for more than 60 years.
The N. Ft. Myers Rotary Club is sponsoring the first ever Red Neck Games and Mud Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, November 10, 2001, at the N. Ft. Myers Community Park from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Other scheduled events are the Chinese Auction, 50/50 drawing, water works, and other games. Proceeds from the day long events will go in part to the Helping Hands of N. Ft. Myers and for other Rotary Club projects in the community.
The first ever Red Neck Games include, but not limited to, the Texas Horseshoe Toss, Tractor Tire Toss, Mullet Toss, Wet Sponge Contest, Cow Pen Drop Mud Dash for Cash, Cow Chip Discus, and similar activities.
The Mud Volleyball Tournament takes place at the same time at the Community Park. Teams can still be formed for the event. Teams are already coming from Riverside Bank, N. Ft. Myers Rotary, firefighters and other community groups. Each team is co-ed and must have two women on the court at all time. Trophies will be awarded to the winners. Teams will be playing in the mud; footwear is a must. Sponsorships are still available.
Food and drinks will be sold on site so please refrain from bringing coolers.
Please call Terry Pye at 997-8654 for details.
Representatives of several Lee County agencies met today to discuss policies and procedures in place to respond locally to acts of terrorism.
The precautionary meeting was called by Doug St. Cerny, chairman of the Board of Lee County Commissioners, to ensure emergency response agencies continue to communicate and coordinate their safety efforts, and to review policies on terrorism and crisis response. Attendees included Sheriff Rod Shoap and representatives of the Lee County Health Department, Mosquito Control, the Port Authority, County Administration, the Division of Public Safety and the Utilities Division.
Some of the things that have been put in place locally since the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C. and in Pennsylvania:
1. All of the county's water plants are "locked down" with restricted access. Field monitoring of facilities and equipment also has been increased.
2. Mosquito Control is notifying state and local officials, including the Sheriff's Office, of the location of spraying prior to its flights.
3. Security has been increased at Mosquito Control and Southwest Florida International Airport.
4. Lee County Emergency Management has reviewed its command and control structure for response to a terrorist act.
In January, area emergency response agencies conducted a training exercise in Centennial Park to simulate what would happen if a terrorism/hazardous materials event were to occur locally. The agencies practiced Incident Command, Hazardous Materials Response and Decontamination, Emergency Treatment and Transport, Disaster Medical Assistance, and Public Information Dissemination through a Joint Information Center.
In addition, Lee County's Public Safety Division, through a $50,000 state grant last year, also developed a Terrorism Response Plan that addresses the roles, responsibilities, protocols, and mutual aid of all appropriate agencies in the event of a terrorist incident. The agencies will continue to coordinate and communicate their plans and efforts.
With all the excitement going on since September 11, people donating money like never before to relief funds and giving blood. The sacrifices being made by those in charge of protecting our freedoms, from local law enforcement to National Guardsmen, to our troops overseas, Americans making sacrifices. It seems strangely odd that our educators are pleading not to have their budgets cut.
So, everyone else should suffer so our precious education system doesn't have to loose a penny. Its ok to cut back on senior programs, programs for the poor and mentally ill, just don't touch the education budget. Lee County Schools have a $661,914,697 budget for this year with an enrollment of 60,553 or $10,931 per student.
This same school system is currently asking for the County to pass impact fees on new homes to raise their revenues. How much do they need? Is there an end to their monetary demands? All of this while running one of the worst school systems in the United States for educating our children.
We feel we can help the school board during this time of crisis. First, suspend all elective courses except shop and home education, band and sports. Do we really need to be teaching Ballet 4? (Remember, if they are teaching Ballet 4, they are also teaching Ballet 1, 2 & 3)
Second, start teaching the 3R's again, can a fourth grader truly understand Algebra or are they just filling in the answers? With the influx of teachers form the elimination of the electives, classroom space and teachers to teach in them shouldn't be a problem.
Do away with School Choice. Currently there are buses in this county going from Bonita Springs to N. Ft. Myers which only carry a handful of students. With the elimination of all but a few electives, all schools can now offer the same courses.
If the Teacher's Union begins to complain, use the justification of "our country being at war" and the latitudes which martial law allows. If the parents complain, explain to them that public education is only for the basic needs of functioning in our society, most electives do not meet that criteria. If the parent wants their child to learn something special, let the parents foot the bill, not the taxpayers.
As for the teachers and their complaints of salary or working conditions. The average employee works 233 days a year, teachers do 190 to 200...an extra 33 days off per year. Most employers do not give two week vacations at Christmas time, a week vacation in the spring, and several days at Thanksgiving, teachers do.
In Lee County the starting wage for a teacher with a Bachelor's Degree is $28,785 to $49,545. If a teacher wants to complain about pay, we invite you to join the private sector and try to find the same wage and benefit package. And for the teachers who's students didn't fair well on the FCAT's, try to find a job in the private sector that doesn't fire you for failure to do your job.
As far as teachers needing the summer off to "further their education," its strange that nurses, doctors, lab technicians, engineers and a plethora of other professionals manage to get their "continuing education" credits without taking two months off from work.
Are we being hard on teachers and our education system, yes. Ms. Boren wrote an editorial in last Saturday's daily paper on the plight of our schools in light of the budget cuts. Ms. Boren, you have been on the Board for eight years and have accomplished nothing in regard to lowering costs or bettering education in this county. Quite simply, you have failed to do your job.
***
And while most governments are concerned about budget cuts, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners have no problem throwing away $340,000 for a study. Yes, over a quarter million dollars for the Smart Growth study.
Almost every person besides developers who were involved in this program quit it. Why, it was obvious it was slanted towards allowing pristine land or our aquifers to be opened for development. Why, so developers can make profits.
One has to wonder exactly how "bought" our county commissioners are by the development community? And the local daily is almost as bought. At least it is legal for the developers to "buy" a newspaper's opinion. If you doubt if the local daily is controlled by the developers, just open Sunday's paper and count the Real Estate sections.
One last comment of the Smart Growth folks, it is the same people who got $250,000 from the County Commissioners to "educate" us on the one-cent sales tax.
In a county that doesn't fund mental health programs, one must wonder where the commissioners found $340,000 for this study?
Its your tax dollars...call your commissioner and tell him how happy you are.
by Tom Comingore (token democrat)
A few weeks ago I wrote about cutting up in church and having to sit on the front row for several weeks after that. A friend of mine, John Miller, from Indianapolis, Indiana, E-mailed me that I had misspelled the name of the minister and later sent me a tape of a dedication sermon Dr. Mullin had given in 1964. What a gift, to hear voices out of the past. I only have had corrections of my spelling or my stories a couple of times even though I know I have made several mistakes and always the corrections have been from old friends. Jean Blakely from Dayton, Ohio, has a brother that has corrected me, he writes for a paper in Ohio but I really enjoy the corrections if for no other reason then hearing from my old friends. I see several readers here in N. Ft. Myers when I go to the grocery store and often at different restaurants and do my best to support our local area as much as I can not only just financially but because many of you have been friends for many years.
I listened to the message of my old minister from back in 1964 (although I first knew him as a young boy in the 1940s) and the message could have been given today with equal importance and meaning. I took away from that sermon that buildings don't make a church it was the people of the church that made it really "Church". Not much different today is it?
Germ warfare has now become the word of the day and names like anthrax, smallpox and tularemia are becoming words heard that are ÒNewÓ to the current generation. We had great challenges to our safety back when I was young too, from anthrax, smallpox and even tularemia just like today and frequently we were more likely to get the germs ala natural rather than from terrorist attacks.
Then we probably had more worries over smallpox and tularemia than anthrax but no one I knew really panicked from the thoughts of getting either BUT just mention polio and there was plenty of panic to be found. Tularemia was often found in wild rabbits that many of us ate frequently in winter. We knew how to tell after we had cleaned the rabbit if it had tularemia but by that time we would have already been exposed and we would just make sure there was plenty of bleach in our clean up water. My mother would always make sure that we would wash our hands well and use bleach in the water after ! We would clean rabbits even if the signs of tularemia was not present and the rabbits were always soaked in salt water over night.
We did take preventative measures against all types of germs but most of our world knew that panic never did anyone any good. I really think that over all, my generation was better prepared for accepting problems like these because we were more exposed to the experiences of seeing the end results of germs.
We see a lot of fine people from all ÒchurchesÓ here when we go to the stores in our everyday life and I will always remember my early early teaching of my early minister whether I sat on the front row or back and no matter how I spell his name.
You can Email Tom TComin1551@aol.com
Editor:
The Schools are trying to see how they can get more class rooms for additional students and to lower the number of students in each class. Well, here is the solution, which other states such as California have used for many years to good advantage. Year around schools, now before you turn the idea down, you need to find out how well it has worked in other states. Why should that buildings only be utilized seventy-five percent of the time? We wouldn't consider that in any other government buildings would we? It automatically gives the schools more class rooms for the new students that they will be getting but also allows them to cut down on the number of students per class room.
Here is another solution that you may want to consider. Ask the Governor to allow our students to go to the school of their choice and that school would receive the money that would be allotted per student in each county. This would allow many children to go to private schools or Christian schools, thereby opening up many seats for new students or to allow reducing the size of the class rooms. No, it wouldn't cost the public schools anything because they don't get any money now for children not attending their schools. Incidentally neither one of the above solutions cost the taxpayers Additional money. Of course that would make the liberals unhappy, Since they wouldn't have to raise our taxes. I hear that they are Considering a one cent sales tax again? Won't they ever learn?
Thank you, Bill Bracken
October 5 545 Pine Island Road, Freddie Bentard was arrested for retail theft and resisting a merchant. 545 Pine Island Road, Robin C. Mitchell was arrested for retail theft. 2818 N. Tamiami Trail, Virgil Larry Garrison Jr. was arrested for trespass after warning. October 6 7852 Ebson Dr., Victor Oquenolo was arrested for violation of probation. 545 Pine Island Rd., Patricia A. Patterson was arrested for retail theft. October 9 64 Oak St., Weldon Jesse Bean was arrested for violation of probation. October 12 Littleton Road, Herbert Hoover Brown was arrested for DUI. October 13 Mayfair Lounge, Joseph Young was arrested for battery/domestic violence 4861 Bayshore Road, Carlos A. Miller was arrested fo a felony bench warrant burglary and violation of probation. 1842 N. Tamiami Trail, Cleavie Joe Bryant was arrested for trespass after warning. Pine Island Rd., Luis Torres was arrested for a bench warrant and operating a motor vehicle with no license.October 18 545 Pine Island Road, Sushila A. Vazquez was arrested for retail theft. 545 Pine Island Road, James N. Hamlin was arrested for retail theft. October 19 Hancock Creek South, Faith Ann Giardiello was arrested for disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest without violence.
Don Gill - E-mail VFVflorida@aol.com
The October edition of the US VET newspaper published by the NVO (National Veterans Org.) front-page article states, "New VA Regulations Important to Vets." If a combat vet says it happened the VA must accept the Vets Word and it goes on to say, "Recent changes in VA regulations now allow veterans' claims to be processed without evidence providing what the vet says is true."
Over the years many veterans have found that finding evidence to support their claims has been hard, or even impossible to find. This was especially difficult in cases where service records were unobtainable or destroyed such as the fire in the 1973 National Personnel Records Center.
Now all veterans have to do is to identify themselves as combat veterans when they file their claim and the VA MUST accept their statement concerning the situation causing their injury as true.
The Regulation is 38 CFR 3.304(b), which states service satisfactory lay or other evidence that an injury or disease was incurred or aggravated in combat will be accepted as sufficient proof of a service connection if the evidence is consistent with the circumstances, conditions or hardship of such service even though there is no official record of such occurrence or aggravation. The authority for the new regulation can be found in United States Codes Title 38, Section 1154.
Title 38 Sec. 1154. Consideration to be accorded time, place, and circumstances of service. (a) The Secretary shall include in the regulations pertaining to service-connection of disabilities (1) additional provisions in effect requiring that in each case where a veteran is seeking service-connection for any disability due consideration shall be given to the places, types, and circumstances of such veteran's service as shown by such veteran's service record, the official history of each organization in which such veteran served, such veteran's medical records, and all pertinent medical and lay evidence, and (2) the provisions required by section 5 of the VeteransÕ Dioxin and Radiation Exposure Compensation Standards Act (Public Law 98-542; 98 Stat. 2727). (b) In the case of any veteran who engaged in combat with the enemy in active service with a military, naval, or air organization of the United States during a period of war, campaign, or expedition, the Secretary shall accept as sufficient proof of service-connection of any disease or injury alleged to have been incurred in or aggravated by such service satisfactory lay or other evidence of service incurrence or aggravation of such injury or disease, if consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of such service, notwithstanding the fact that there is no official record of such incurrence or aggravation in such service, and, to that end, shall resolve every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. Service-connection of such injury or disease may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. The reasons for granting or denying service-connection in each case shall be recorded in full.
When was the last time you heard words like: Bosn'mate, Chow Line, Mid Rad, Duty Rooster, Deck ape or Smokin Lamp? Does it bring back memories?
The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association (DESA) meets for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Sabal Springs Golf and racquet Clubhouse, located on US 41 in N. Ft. Myers. Reservations are required.
For reservations or more information call Werner Grabner at 458-8471.
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 Navy SeaBee Veterans of America, Island X-8 in Lee County will have a non-smoking luncheon meeting on Monday, November 26 at noon at the Holiday inn Select, 13051 Bell Tower Dr., Ft. Myers. Officers for 2001/02 are: Commander, Robert Maguire; First Vice Commander, Raymond Reed; Second Vice Commander, Jack Wentzell; Secretary, James Lindenmayer; Treasurer, Tom MacKimmie and Chaplain, Richard Sherman.
Wives and visiting SeaBees are welcome to attend. Reservations are required, for reservations or information call Raymond Reed at 731-1901.
The N. Ft. Myers Rotary Club has donated $325 to the 1st Annual Junior Olympics held on Saturday, December 1, 2001 at the N. Ft. Myers Community Park. Organized by Christine Schirmer and her assistant, Michelle,of the Parks and Recreation Department, the Junior Olympics is free for children, who will be presented with a T-shirt, lunch and trophies. "We thank the Rotary for this generous gift to the children of the community," said Ms. Schirmer.
"We would like to see a lot of children in the events, which in include the long jump, 50 yard dash and many more!" continued Ms. Schirmer. "We encourage any child from 5-17 to sign up for the age-related events. They should call or come to the Community Park to participate." Her phone number is 652-6002 and the Community Park is located at 2021 N. Tamiami Trail, behind the N. Ft. Myers Library.
"This Rotary club is pleased to participate in this community event and we wish this program and the children great success and fun," announced Mark Grabowski, President of the N. Ft. Myers Rotary, as he introduced Ms. Schirmer to the Thursday morning meeting at Lochmoor Country Club. Mr. Grabowski can be reached at 549-7282.
North Shore Alliance Church presents a fall Festival for children of all ages. This exciting Halloween Alternative will take place on October 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will include a bounce house, dunk tank, face painting, games, candy and much more. Wholesome costumes are optional.
North Shore Alliance Church is located at 330 W. Mariana Ave behind WalMart between the two 41's. For more information call 656-1553.
The Bonsai Society of Southwest Florida invites the public to its Annual Bonsai Exhibit and Show, Saturday and Sunday November 3 and 4 at the Garden Council Building, 2646 Cleveland Ave from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The show will feature bonsai adapted for the Florida tropics, cultivated by local artists, two daily demonstrations, a Sunday raffle and a large sale area of bonsai trees and supplies.
For more information call 275-9264 or 332-1288.
National Adult Immunizations are being sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Southwest Florida. Rotarians will offer make up and hand out brochures, provide transportation and perform clerical tasks. Flus shots will be available in N. Ft. Myers ate the following locations:
November 1, Bayshore Village from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
November 5, Windmill Village, 1 to 4:00 p.m.
November 7, Senior Friends (5170 Orange Grove Blvd.), 1 to 4:00 p.m.
November 8, United Methodist Church (81 Pondella Rd., 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
November 26, The Heritage, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
November 29, TaraWoods, 1 to 4:00 p.m.
For more information call the Lee County Health Department at 332-9501.
The Rotary Club of N. Ft. Myers meets every Thursday morning at 8:30 at Lochmoor Country Club, 3911 Orange Grove Blvd.
The Heritage will host an Arts & Crafts Fair on Saturday, November 3 from 8:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. On display for sale will be seasonal gifts, crafts, florals, wearables, personalized t-shirts and hats, books and puzzles. Breakfast and lunch will be available.
The Heritage is located one mile north of the Shell factory on US 41.
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