LEE COMMISSIONERS APPROVE FUNDS TO REPLACE MATANZAS PASS PRESERVE BOARDWALKS
The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved spending Tourist Development Tax revenues to replace elevated boardwalks, the paddle craft landing and the pavilion at Matanzas Pass Preserve on Estero Island. The Matanzas Pass Preserve has about 1.25 miles of trails that wind through the canopies of mangroves and maritime hammocks in an undeveloped, protected area of the island. This bayside preserve situated within the boundaries of the Town of Fort Myers Beach offers visitors opportunities to observe wildlife and native plants. The boardwalk is in need of replacement to allow continued public access and to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The $1.1 million funding request for the project was approved out of the typical cycle for Tourist Development Tax projects so the work could begin in September and be completed in about six months. The Tourist Development Council in March recommended funding the request.
FAIN JOINS HACFM BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers (HACFM) has appointed Richard Fain (pictured left) to its board of commissioners. Appointed by the mayor of the City of Fort Myers, the board serves as the governing officers of HACFM. Through formal adoption of policy, they ensure the authority’s purpose and accompanying responsibilities are carried out in as efficient and economical a manner as possible. The seven board members volunteer their services to the authority. Commissioners ensure the authority operates within the law and according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations. A Fort Myers native, Fain is a commercial lender and senior vice president of Lake Michigan Credit Union and has 24 years of banking experience.
FOUR PARCELS TO BE PURCHASED FOR CONSERVATION 20/20
The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday authorized staff to pursue acquisition of four properties, totaling 401 acres, for the Conservation 20/20 program. All parcels are infill parcels adjacent to existing parks/preserves. Nomination 068-3 is 122.5 acres west of Lee County’s Pinewood Trails Park, and north of the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Nomination 572 is 97.52 acres and 580 is 174.93 acres located in Alva south of the Conservation 20/20 Bob Janes Preserve and west of Caloosahatchee Regional Park. Nomination 578 is 6.17 acres south of the Conservation 20/20 Pine Lake Preserve within the City of Bonita Springs east of Kent Road, north of the Bonita Springs Nature Place and Kehl Canal. The Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee (CLASAC) in March unanimously recommended these parcels move forward for acquisition.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER NAMED FOR TECHNOLOGY AWARDS
Ann E. Joyce (pictured right), chief customer officer and executive vice president of technology, supply chain and field operations at Chico’s FAS, will be the keynote speaker at the 11th annual Technology Awards Dinner presented by the Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership (SWFRTP). The event will be held from 6-9 p.m. on May 16 at The Club at Grandezza in Estero. Tickets can be purchased at swfrtp.org. Awards event sponsorships are available.
EHC INC. EXPANDS IN VOLUME
EHC Inc. has experienced more than 40 percent volume growth in 2018, according to a press release. During the year, the site construction company began seven new projects while progressing with many ongoing, large-scale projects. In 2018, EHC commenced development on Crest at Bonita Springs, MY Shower Door North American Headquarters/D3 Glass Manufacturing Plant, Luminary Hotel, Springs at Hammock Cove, Baker Park, Eleven Eleven Central and Siena Lakes. Most of the new projects and new phases of projects were with repeat EHC clients. Plus, the site construction company continued development of Springs at Port Charlotte, Helms Road in South Labelle, SR 82 in Fort Myers, SR 80 East of Labelle, Kalea Bay, Naples Square and Homestead Road in Lehigh, and started new phases of Eleven Eleven Central and Naples Square in early 2019. In addition, longtime employee Shane Graves was promoted to operations manager at EHC. Graves is the fifth employee to reach 20 years with the company.
WOMEN IN ACTION CONFERENCE TO PROMOTE HEALTH, WELLNESS
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County will host the “Women in Action Conference” from noon to 4 p.m. on April 27 at McGregor Community Services in Fort Myers. The free community event will promote health and wellness among women of color. The event includes several motivational speakers, HIV awareness and prevention, and health and social information booths. In addition to yoga and breath meditation sessions, lunch and door prizes will be provided. The Florida Department of Health offers numerous specialized initiatives to benefit the health of Florida’s communities. Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS) is the grassroots mobilization of women of color in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
WOMEN AND DEMENTIA LUNCHEON SET
In partnership with the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, the Women of the (239) social club will host an informative Women and Dementia luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on May 16 at Stonebridge Country Club in Naples. Focusing on the latest research regarding Alzheimer’s disease and its impacts on women, the event will offer attendees data-driven insights from keynote speaker Dr. Heather M. Snyder, senior director of medical and science operations at the Alzheimer’s Association. Registration is $50 per person and is open to both members and non-members of Women of the (239), though seating is limited. Visit womenofthe239.com to register.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Lilly Pulitzer Shop & Share to benefit Amber’s Antibodies
Lilly Pulitzer is hosting a Shop & Share fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday at its Waterside Shops location in Naples. Ten percent of sales will benefit Amber’s Antibodies, a Southwest Florida nonprofit organization that provides grants to local families who are fighting cancer. The 100 percent volunteer-based organization also funds cancer research. For more information, visit ambersantibodies.com.
Gold Ribbon Classic Golf Tournament to benefit children with cancer, blood disorders
Candlelighters of Southwest Florida will host the 24th annual Gold Ribbon Classic Golf Tournament on May 11 at Bonita Bay Club East in Naples. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Proceeds from the event will assist local children diagnosed with cancer and/or a blood disorder from the time they are diagnosed, throughout treatment, as well as in recovery. The Candlelighters Gold Ribbon Classic Golf Event is open to the public, and there will be a variety of raffle prizes offered. Entry fee is $150 for an individual player, including 18 holes of golf with cart, range balls, golfers goodie bags and a buffet lunch with awards presentation immediately following play. Pre-registration is required. For more details, click here.
Conservancy of Southwest Florida honors Teacher Appreciation Week with free admission to school employees
Conservancy of Southwest Florida is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week by offering free admission to all educators. Teacher Appreciation Week is an annual recognition in which students, parents, businesses and organizations show their support for teachers. The Conservancy is granting free daily admission, a $14.95 value, to all teachers, administrators and support staff with a valid school ID from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6-11. Additionally, the Conservancy continues to offer all school employees a discounted annual basic membership rate of $35, which includes free admission year-round for two adults and four children, a 10 percent discount at the Nature Store, members-only kayak rentals, discounts at 147 nature centers around the country, advance notice for Conservancy programs and subscriptions to Conservancy publications. For more information, visit conservancy.org.
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