Take our golf cart ordinance survey

Lee County is considering adopting an amended ordinance that would govern the use of golf carts on designated public streets in Boca Grande and other areas of unincorporated Lee County. The ordinance would tentatively raise the age to operate a golf cart on a public street to 16. State law sets the age at 14. The Boca Grande Community Panel has endorsed a proposal to require golf cart operators to have a valid drivers license. But how do you feel about this.

Click here to take our survey. You can vote just once every 24 hours. When you click “view results” you will be taken to an external site. And no, we have no control over the ads you might see there.

Tell us, your neighbors and Lee County what you think!

Lizard board chairman quits; cites lack of county help

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Bonnie McGee, the chairman of the Boca Grande “iguana tax” advisory board, has resigned citing what she calls the panel “spinning its wheels” in the ongoing debate with Lee County over funding the battle against the lizards.

McGee made the announcement on Thursday.

Island residents responsible for political mailing

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Boca Grande residents who recently received fliers in the mail from a group called “3ch” might be wondering what type of organization it is that is asking for campaign contributions for two candidates running for the Charlotte County Commission.

Mystery solved. The name stands for “Citizens Caring for Charlotte Harbor,” and one of those responsible for the mailing is island resident and Nerf inventor Reynolds Guyer.

Historic board OKs clinic annex plan

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Several of the members of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board voiced their displeasure over a proposed parking canopy at the Boca Grande Health Clinic Annex, but passed the addition to the non-contributing structure anyway, to be reviewed again in one year.

The proposal presented at the meeting held on April 9 consisted not only of the canopy, called a “porte-cochere” in the proposal, but also the conversion of a garage into a boardroom, additional golf cart parking and the enclosure of a screened porch.

Fire department trains by trashing cars

The Boca Grande Fire Department recently spent three days in training with donated “junked” cars provided by Gulf Coast Towing in Englewood. According to Lt. Lee Cooper, the firemen were working on extrication techniques and tool familiarization at the state property off Lafitte Street.

“Using state property, it gave us a closed compound to keep everything secure,” Cooper said. “It gave an opportunity for all three shifts to practice using the hydraulic tools. “These techniques are certainly valuable to know, considering every car on the road is different, with different airbag systems and different technologies involved in their construction.”

Perry: Time to pull plug on Community Panel

GUEST COMMENTARY: After years of nonsense, it’s recently become obviously clear that the time has come to pull the plug on the Boca Grande Community Panel.

Since its start, a few past and present members of this self-appointed, self-anointed group have been advancing an agenda that clearly is not in step with Boca Grande, its residents, our traditions and our island lifestyle.

Seibert: Parallel parking wasn’t panel’s idea

GUEST COMMENTARY – As I mentioned in an earlier commentary, after reluctantly accepting the chairmanship of the Community Planning Panel, I said I would try to address and correct misconceptions and factual errors when they appeared in our local papers.

Last week’s edition of the Beacon had several items which require correction. Your story captioned “Not a monument” was factually incorrect. The panel did not … table the possibility of a permanent tourist destination sign … We agreed to rename it.

Instead of “monument,” we decided to call it a “community friendly way finding sign.”

We also agreed with the suggestions of the business people in attendance that it should list the “Historic Village and Shopping District.” The traffic engineer’s suggestion was to combine information from two existing signs with other way finding information, like the 5th Street public parking lot, on one easily readable sign near the stop sign at 5th. This should reduce clutter and help move vehicles where you want them to go.

Obituary: Carol Lockett

Carol Lockett, 56 of Placida, died Friday, April 4. She was born August 11, 1951 in Milford, Mass.

Carol was a broker/owner of Gasparilla Properties Inc. and a partner/owner of Gasparilla Home Watch. She was the current vice-president of the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce.

Parallel parking plan panned by business owners

Johns Knight Jr., left, and Jim Grace at Tuesday’s meeting of the Boca Grande Community Panel. Check out the video here.

The Boca Grande Community Planning Panel abandoned plans for parallel parking on Park Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets on Tuesday after islanders made it clear they did not agree with it.

The meeting, held on April 1, had an audience of more than 20 people. The majority of those who attended included full-time residents and business owners who spoke out against the plan.

Seibert: ‘Another rumor the papers perpetuated’

COMMENTARY: At Tuesday’s meeting of the Boca Grande Community Planning Panel, member Dave McHugh mentioned that he has had more comments on the proposed Lee County golf cart ordinance than any other issue.

“A lot of people think we wrote it,” he added.

No monument to welcome visitors

The Boca Grande Community Panel has decided to table the possibility of a permanent tourist destination sign being placed at the corner of Gasparilla Road and 5th Street … for now.

At the panel’s most recent meeting, several business owners said they weren’t comfortable redirecting traffic away from town.

You’re drinking award-winning water … really!

Bonnie Pringle of the Gasparilla Island Water Association urges residents to try something new: Drink the water, because it’s award-winning.

The GIWA participated in the American Water Works Association Region Five Drinking Water Contest on March 28. They took first place at the competition that was held behind the Charlotte County Administration Center in Murdock. Those competing included 10 utility companies from Charlotte, Sarasota, Desoto, Hardee and Manatee counties.

County: Beach access has ‘fallen through the cracks’

Confusion has once again arisen over the “No beach access” signs that are posted on a majority of beach access streets on the island.

We dropped the ball,” was the answer that Robert Neal, a coastal engineer with Lee County Division of Natural Resources gave in reference to the lag time between the completion of beach renourishment and the removal of the signs.

Parking 101

Contrary to what’s going on in the photo, there is no angled or diagonal parking in front of Hudson’s unless you are driving a golf cart. Minivans aren’t golf carts. Minivans, when diagonally parked in front of Hudson’s, block most of the southbound lane of Park Avenue. This causes a mess. It also causes people to get mad and blow their horns and ask about the health of your duck, or something. It’s parallel parking only.

Iguanas, golf carts and Web 2.0

We will soon come to a crossroads in our efforts to control the island’s iguana population. The trapping campaign that began about two years ago is working. There are fewer iguanas.

But it hasn’t been cheap. Funding the trapping program for another year is going to cost each island homeowner about $100 for the next 12 months. Island-wide we’re looking at $120,000 for Lee County residents and $50,000 for Charlotte residents.

McGee charges dropped; sheriff defends investigators

All charges against a 38-year-old Boston man in connection with an alleged December 28 sexual assault on a teenage boy at the steam room of the Gasparilla Inn have been dismissed.

Carl Stanley McGee, a top aide to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, had been facing sexual battery charges in connection with the incident.

In a memo to the court, Assistant State Attorney Francine Donnorummo wrote that there was no physical evidence collected that would place McGee and the victim in the steam room.

Prosecutor explains why charges in sex assault case were dropped. Says evidence wasn’t collected

Editor’s note: The following is the Notice to the Clerk of the Lee County Courts sent by the Office of State Attorney for the 20th Judicial District of Florida. It was written by Assistant State Attorney Francine Donnorummo. Certain graphic terms and descriptions have been omitted. The notice has also been edited for clarity and brevity.

The allegations are as follows: The 15-year-old boy, Jonathan, alleged that he was forced to submit to (a) 36-year-old adult male Carl McGee performing oral sex upon and … (edited) … in a steam room at the Gasparilla Inn (and Club) in Boca Grande. Mr. McGee was a stranger to the child, but they had met in passing a couple of times during the week.

Bike bridge idea gets chilly response

A public meeting held by the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority on Wednesday, March 26 drew 23 members of the public who were more interested in who would be crossing the bridge than what type of bridge will be used in the future.

A discussion focusing on the cost of six foot-wide sidewalks that were proposed with every alternative dominated much of the conversation. Many residents who attended were opposed to encouraging foot and bicycle traffic to cross the bridge by including the sidewalks.

Island’s park beaches see record number of visitors

If you have headed to any of the area beaches recently and thought there was more traffic than ever, you were right. More than one million visitors were recorded as coming to the island’s state park beaches in 2007, according to numbers produced at the Monday, March 10 meeting of the Barrier Island Parks Society.

And this year’s numbers are already breaking records as well.

Like your sand soft? Beach ’tilling’ to begin

Beach tilling work will be done during the week beginning Monday, March 31 on the beaches from 17th Street to the southern tip of the island.

Robert Neal, of Lee County Natural Resources Division, said that two pieces of heavy equipment will be used for the process.

Third annual Island Art Days

Islanders will have an opportunity to meet the artists and buy their wares at the Third Annual Island Art Days, scheduled to be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, next door to Gasparilla Outfitters and Special Effects for Women. So far, 13 artists are scheduled to be present at the show.

Local artist Julie Salvetti, who makes fine pearl and gemstone jewelry, is one of the organizers of the event and explained how it all came into being.

Former Inn controller gets 10 years in $6 million embezzlement scheme; but where’s the money?

Bryon Okada of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram contributed to this story. Used by permission. Copyright 2008 The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Boca Beacon.

The former controller at the Gasparilla Inn and Club has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $5.8 million in restitution in the wake of her guilty plea to defrauding the island hotel of about $6 million between October, 2002 and January, 2007.

Susan Gail Ray, 52, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Fort Worth, Texas by U.S. District Judge John McBryde. It was the maximum sentence provided for in Ray’s plea agreement with the government.

Charges dropped against Inn sex assault suspect

Citing a lack of evidence, prosecutors have dropped all charges against a 38-year-old Boston man in connection with an alleged December 28 sexual assault on a 15-year-old Rochester, N.Y. boy at the steam room of the Gasparilla Inn and Club.

Carl Stanley McGee (pictured), a top aide to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, had been facing sexual battery charges in connection with the incident.

Bike Parade, Fair right out of a story book

Monkeys were running through the streets and Dr. Suess was everywhere as an old locomotive passenger train made its way through Boca Grande for the first time in 40 years. No, it wasn’t a crazy drug-induced dream, it was the annual “Storybook Island” Boca Grande Bike Parade that wound down the bike path on Saturday morning, March 15. The floats were better than ever, and 39 separate entries displayed themselves to the judges at the corner of 5th Street and East Railroad before heading down south on the bike path to the community center.

‘A terrible mistake’ - Islander’s life saved, but Lee 911 comes under fire from Boca Bay

Quick thinking by bystanders and a nurse are credited in saving the life of island resident, George Baker, after he collapsed on the tennis court of the Boca Bay Pass Club last Thursday, March 13.

But Boca Bay officials have criticized the way the episode was handled by Lee County 911 dispatchers, characterizing it as “a terrible mistake.” They are questioning why it took an ambulance more than 20 minutes to respond.

Meeting set on future of bridges

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority is inviting the public to attend a workshop on Wednesday, March 26 at 2 p.m. in the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium, to discuss three options for the new bridge.

The three options to be offered up to the public at the meeting will include renovation of the existing bridge, putting up another swing bridge or using a bascule, or drawbridge design.

Celebrating Audubon

Birding enthusiasts are anticipating a program on John James Audubon and some of his selected works that will be held on Sunday, March 30, at 3:30 p.m. at the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium. Robert Hall, who has been studying and creating Audubon’s works for years, will be the speaker.

In celebration of the Audubon Society’s 100th anniversary, Hall will explain how he became involved with Audubon’s works, how he creates his reproductions and more.

Commentary: A great tribute to John Bottjer

All we can say is thank you. Once again this community has come together - this time in tribute to John Bottjer, who was, as so many have said, willing to help anyone, anytime, and anywhere.

Everyone who attended the Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday evening, March 9, knows what a success it was - both as a great meal and a great fund-raiser. Thank you to Nat Italiano and Isabelle Joiner who once again masterminded an exceptional dinner.

Island says goodbye to an old friend

It’s hard to say good-bye to an old friend, but that is what hundreds of islanders did this weekend as memorial services and a fund-raiser for “Big John” Bottjer, at right, were held. More than $28,000 for John’s family was raised.

Family reunites, again, in Boca Grande

The vote was unanimous at the Chapin family get-together, Boca Grande is the best when it comes to entertaining. The family gathered at the Gasparilla Inn and Club recently to celebrate matriarch Patricia Hill’s 90-year birthday, and her son, Richard Welch’s, birthday of 60 years.

Pilates at Community House

Whether it’s jogging, swimming, rollerblading or golfing that’s your choice of exercise, there is a class being held on the island right now that might help you get even more out of your workout. It’s called Pilates, and it’s being held down at the Crowninshield Community House on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8 to 9 a.m. While many people have heard of the form of exercise, not many know just how fascinating the method and its creator really are.

Historic board retains officers

The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board met Wednesday, March 11 for the election of officers and to discuss three renovation projects within the historical district.

The board voted to retain all previous officers, which are Chairman Becky Seale Paterson and Vice-Chairman Billy Caldwell.

Commentary: GIBA says bridge bumps are popular

GIBA’s maintenance staff has finished the installation of the third new 20 mph speed bump cushion. These traffic calming devices are being installed on the Boca Grande Causeway lanes on both sides of the GIBA’s historic swing bridge to help slow down traffic to the posted speed limit of 20 mph on the swing bridge.

Slowing traffic down to 20 mph is required as a safety issue, yet it also provides another hidden benefit. It allows customers to enjoy the very scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway, a variety of boat traffic and aquatic wildlife, and very unique panoramic views of Lemon Bay to the north and Gasparilla Sound to the east as they travel 20 mph while crossing the historic swing bridge.

Bike Parade, Woman’s Club Fair this weekend

The Boca Grande Community Center will be hosting its annual Bike Parade this Saturday, March 15, and the tradition that so many look forward to every year is looking better and more entertaining than ever.

The parade starts at 10:30 a.m., and the theme will be “Storybook Island.” Bikes, scooters, wagons or golf carts should be decorated appropriately to join in the parade fun.

Island tennis classic to become annual event

The first-ever Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic finished up on Sunday, March 9 with a total of 35 players on the roster that might otherwise not have had a chance to play in a tournament this year.

According to Dusty Hopkins, the publisher of the Boca Beacon which sponsored the tournament, everything went well this year and a bigger tournament is planned for next year.

McGee arraignment postponed again

Monday’s arraignment of a 38-year-old Boston man charged with assaulting a teenage boy in the steam room of the Gasparilla Inn has been postponed again.

Coast Guard rescues two

 The Coast Guard rescued two boaters from an 18-foot flats boat that ran aground about three-miles east of Boca Grande Pass in Gasparilla Sound at about 9:30 p.m., March 8.

Seven golf carts stolen

When Aaron Diaz walked from his Seabreeze Court home on Monday morning he immediately saw his golf cart was gone. It wasn’t the first time it happened, and his instincts led him to the beach where, coincidentally, he found his cart one morning two years ago.

Too dim tail light? 29 ticketed, three arrested in police ‘crackdown’

On Friday, Feb. 29, Lee County sheriff’s deputies made three drug-related arrests and issued 29 tickets and 20 warnings during a special island enforcement sweep that took place between 11 a.m. and midnight.

Bridge bumps give drivers a jolt

Some drivers found out that crossing the causeway this week was a jarring experience if they weren’t going slow enough. That’s because the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority began work installing new speed bumps on either side of the bridge on Wednesday, March 5. The bump on the west side of the bridge heading onto the island has already been installed, and the bumps on the other side will be put in place next week.

Island teens say proposed cart law unfair

Island teens aren’t happy with Lee County’s proposed changes to golf cart regulations, and say it will affect their daily lives more than people understand.

The Lee County commissioners are considering an ordinance that would raise the age to operate a golf cart in unincorporated Lee County from 14 to 16. Existing state law sets the age at 14.

Stawberry Fest a ‘huge success’

While last weekend’s Strawberry Festival sponsored by the Boca Grande United Methodist Church Women kept with the strawberry shortcake tradition and bargain sale, the new addition of a live auction had the crowd interested and ready to donate their money.

Panel cancels meeting

The Boca Grande Community Planning Panel announced that the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 has been postponed to April 1.

According to panel member Ted Hoopes, the traffic study information the panel was waiting on would not be available by the March 11 date.

Bottjer services set for Saturday, March 8

John Robert Bottjer, 47, lost his nine-month battle with a rare form of cancer Thursday afternoon, Feb. 28. “Big John,” as the maintenance supervisor of the Boca Bay Pass Club was known throughout the island, died at his home of complications from subcutaneous melanoma. He recently underwent surgery to remove tumors from his brain.

He was born on November 29, 1960 in Manhattan. He moved to Port Charlotte with his wife and son in 1997 from Rockville, Md. and was the maintenance supervisor for the Boca Bay Pass Club for the past 11 years.

New golf cart law needed, but no exemption for the elderly

(Click here to read the letter sent to Lee County Department of Transportation by the Boca Grande Community Panel regarding the proposed county ordinance.)

What’s your opinion? Email your thoughts and ideas about the proposed golf cart ordinance to the Lee County Department of Transportation. Deadline for comments is Friday, March 7.

Commentary: The proposed Lee County ordinance that would, if adopted, expand restrictions on the use of golf carts on county streets was recently debated by the Boca Grande Community Panel.

Bridge lane could reopen sooner than thought

Boca Grande Swing Bridge traffic could be restored to two lanes as early as Monday, March 3 in the wake of construction to repair cracks that were discovered in the bridge’s support beams late last week.

Cyclist hurt in accident at bridge

Traffic was shut down in both directions for almost 30 minutes at the Boca Grande Swing Bridge on Friday, Feb. 28 in the wake of a 10:20 a.m. bicycle accident.

County: No bucks for panel projects

The Boca Grande Community Planning Panel may soon be asking Gilchrist Avenue residents to contribute to the parking and landscaping project on their medial, and the possibility of increasing the bridge toll to provide additional money for proposed downtown projects was also discussed.

Killer bees in the water meters?

Homeowners have been asked to watch out for bees around their water meter boxes, as Gasparilla Island Water Association workers have found several boxes overflowing with honeycomb from what might be Africanized honey bees.

County OKs iguana ‘assessment’

On Tuesday, Feb. 26, Lee County commissioners unanimously approved the collection of a special assessment fee from residents of the Lee County portion of Gasparilla Island that will keep the iguana trapping program going until November.