Congratulations to Charlie Robinson for receiving the Student of Merit Award for outstanding contributions as a student at Caloosa/Diplomat Middle School.

 

Congratulations to Mt. Hermon Baptist Church on another successful Youth Explosion. We were extremely proud to have this event held at Michigan Family Development. Pastor Glover and his staff and scores of volunteers did an outstanding job of bringing together our community in celebration. Over 700 attended the event. Great job and we look forward to next year!

 

Congratulations to our Executive Director Danny Queen who has been appointed to the South Eastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (SERC-NAHRO) board. Mr. Queen was notified by Zelma D. Boggess, President Elect of the SERC-NAHRO Board, Ms. Boggess commented, "Because of your demonstrated talent as a leader in our profession I am most happy to appoint you to serve on the SERC Information & Technology Committee for a two year term beginning October 1, 1999 and ending September 30, 2001."

 

Sabal Palms will have a new neighbor soon. The Dunbar Shopping Center held its groundbreaking ceremony on November 23, 1999. A project of the Lee County Employment & Economic Development Corporation, Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency and the City of Fort Myers, this shopping center has been several years in the making and now hopefully has become a reality. Several dignitaries were on hand to give praise and support for the shopping center included were, Mr. Dave Carney, President of TOPPS Grocery Chain and the anchor supermarket for the center, Mayor Bruce T. Grady, Fort Myers City Councilwoman Veronica Shoemaker, City Councilwoman Dr. Ann Knight, Richard Sapp, Chairman LEEDCO, Adria Parsons, President First Union National Bank, Gulf Coast Region, Cardell Cooper, Assistant Secretary, Community Planning & Development Department of Housing & Urban Development, Don Cossairt, General Manager Pepsi Cola Company Southwest Florida, Donald Sykes, Director Office of Community Services, Administration for Children & Families, Dept. of Health & Human Service Agency, Washington DC, Terri Copeland Devaney, Assistant Vice President, NCB Development Corporation, Washington DC, William J. Day, Jr. Regional Director, U.S. Department of Commerce and Economic Development Administration, Washington D.C., Steve Siebert, Secretary of State of Florida Department of Community Affairs, Tallahassee, FL, along with several others political and community leaders who all gave their support and vision for the future of Dunbar.

Southward Village was fortunate to be adopted by the Fort Myers Rotary Club for City of Palms Day in September. The Rotary Club along with several community volunteers came out to Southward Village and planted palm trees, shrubbery and mulch. Additionally, the weekend before, several volunteers from the FMHA staff, commissioners, and residents planted several oak trees. We are very grateful to the Fort Myers Rotary Club for their wonderful gift of Palms, our development looks much greener.

    

 

Quality Life Center Marine Education Unit hosted 19 youngsters to a fishing outing. A special thanks was given by Charles B. Saunders to Mr. Queen and his staff for providing the transportation for the youngsters to get back and forth from the dock and also to FMHA Chairman Chuck Taylor and FMHA Commissioner Lodovic Kimble for not only their participation in chaperoning but also for supplying boats and equipment for the trip.