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Islanders sound off on new golf cart rules

CLICK HERE TO TELL LEE COUNTY WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROPOSED GOLF CART ORDINANCE
The following are emails sent to Lee County Department of Transportation’s Steve Jansen concerning proposed changes to the county’s ordinance regulating the operation of golf carts on public streets.

The proposed changes to the Lee County ordinance on golf carts include requiring all drivers of golf carts to be 16 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license, that the number of occupants in the cart is restricted to the number of seats, no one is allowed to stand in the cart at any time while it is moving, and all laws applying to secured child safety seats in passenger vehicles will also apply to golf carts.

The ordinance changes also require all golf cart drivers to hold liability insurance.

No charges filed against naked beach walker

No charges have been filed against a 29-year-old man who allegedly exposed himself and simulated a sexual act in front of three women on the beach at 24th Street.

Deputies were called to the area just after noon on April 27. They spoke with the first complainant who told deputies that the man, who appeared to be naked, was using binoculars to look at women sunbathing on the beach.

Wrapping up another ’season’

As Good Friday dawned this year, it found women lined up around the block outside The Palm on Park Lilly Pulitzer store in Boca Grande as usual. By the end of the day, though, shop owner Jennifer Burch would end up saying the words, “Never again.”

What wasn’t anticipated by those working in the store that day was the sheer force of the crowds will in getting a great bargain. While it is considered a tradition on the island in past years, this year it took a toll on everyone working there, including Burch, who couldn’t believe the frenzy.

Cayo Costa fire toll is 187 acres

The fire on Cayo Costa that started on April 16 is 95 percent contained, say Department of Environmental Protection officials. The blaze burned 187 acres.

The park re-opened on April 21 and is under normal operation.

Laughter and tears as Loons says goodbye

There was sadness in the gaps between laughter on Wednesday as the regulars that normally frequent Loons on a Limb came in to eat their last meal.

Lone patrons and groups of two or three that came in would push tables together for camaraderie, and to share stories of the first time they ate there or good times they had shared there. Others sat quietly eating their last meal at the restaurant in quiet contemplation.

Hudson’s founder dies

The man for whom Hudson’s Grocery was named, John Hudson, has passed away.

John died on Sunday, April 27.

John’s son, Brian, said that the family always loved Boca Grande and they will be spreading John’s ashes in Boca Grande Pass in June.

Dogs of Boca Grande calendar

If you are a resident of Boca Grande and you’ve always envisioned your canine’s charisma and good looks as star material, Nancy Blank at Fugates is looking to talk to you about a new calendar that Fugate’s is sponsoring.

Blank is working with “Balimama,” otherwise known as Chris Carey of Sarasota, on a “Dogs of Boca Grande” calendar, and the good-looking hounds of the island will be featured. It will be a desk calendar, neatly kept in a CD jewel case, of professional quality.

Golf cart ordinance: Tell Lee County what you think!

EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS TODAY!

Lee County officials say they have received just one email from Boca Grande on the proposed changes to the county’s golf cart ordinance. The lone email was from a member of the Boca Grande Community Panel. We have reason to believe more than one was sent, based on the number of golf cart emails that were carboned to us. So, what happened to the rest?

Tell Lee County what you think. To send an email to Lee County’s Steve Jansen, click here. His email address is jansensj@leegov.com.

Also, you can click here to take our golf cart ordinance poll.

June target set for new golf cart ordinance

Take the Beacon’s golf cart ordinance poll!

Lee County officials say they are moving forward with proposed golf cart ordinance changes, and hope to have a draft of the new law before the county commissioners by the beginning of June.

Harry Campbell, the chief traffic engineer for Lee County Department of Transportation, said that he had spoken with Lt. Joseph Poppalardo about the ordinance, and they both felt that time had come to start the legal process to get the rules for driving a golf cart changed in unincorporated Lee County.