Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT As more boaters make their way out onto the water again for fishing season, they risk contributing to one of Lee County’s least desirable legacies: disproportionately high manatee deaths due to watercraft strikes. The early spring months, according to Ron Mezich, biological administrator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, are an […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT It’s probably tough to find a full-time Florida resident who, during any given season, doesn’t think it’s the worst one yet. And of course, by “worst” they usually mean “busiest,” although business owners may hope for and revel in as many visitors as possible to make up for slower business during off-season […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in Profiles.
BY JACK SHORT Pastor Brian Brightly is a remarkably energetic speaker and a progressive thinker. I confess I’ve never attended a sermon given by the pastor – but I spent a week in Cuba with the man and had a few long conversations besides. I also learned it may be necessary to interject more forcefully […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT As the water crosses that magical temperature threshold somewhere in the mid-70s, the fish and the things that eat them are becoming more active. And, of course, so are the fishermen, but unfortunately, with that increased activity comes an increase in accidental or negligent behavior. Some standup paddleboarders who asked to remain […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE Next week marks the end of open enrollment at The Island School for the next school year and, at this time, 57 applications have been received. According to Head of School Jean Thompson, those are great numbers for the island’s little school, as the maximum number of students is 60. “March 27 […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT The three plans outlined in a recent Beacon story failed to gain traction between the two main sides in an ongoing debate over parking on the Gilchrist Avenue Median. “Our hope was that they could get close enough to agree on one option,” said a representative of Lee County, “but they each […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in Opinion.
Does the idea of a guided tour through a quiet, beautiful restored parcel of GICIA Land Conservancy Property sound nice? How about the chance to catch a glimpse of the elusive and rarely seen mangrove cuckoo? On Friday, March 27, and Saturday, April 25, GICIA is offering guided tours through one of its conservancy parcels […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT After a charged town-hall-style meeting during which the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority heard input from the public on bridge weight limits, there seem to be more questions than answers. GIBA is still researching the legality of keeping the weight limits on their bridges and causeway at 40,000 pounds, which, according to Executive […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT Representatives of the owners of two parcels of downtown land published a notice related to a proposed restaurant and parking lot in the February 28 edition of the Boca Beacon. Since then, rumors may have gotten a little out of hand and the notice has generated no small amount of controversy. The […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY JACK SHORT Peter Roberts has a small town sensibility, tempered by southern hospitality. There’s also some Texan straight-shooting in there, literally and figuratively, which is something you don’t get to say very often. He grew up in Old Greenwich, Ct., hence the small town influence. But Peter went to lengths to avoid staying planted […]