According to the agenda published by Lee County government two days ago, Lee County commissioners were supposed to gather for their regular monthly meeting to discuss many items, including the Gasparilla Island cell phone tower and surrounding site. The agenda describes the item as a decision to be made to allow the new tower’s construction, as it has to be approved by county commissioners because of the Gasparilla Island Conservation District Act. The GICDA specifically addresses any buildings or structures over 38 feet, which are not allowed on the island. 

However, the Community Cell Tower Committee, which is the island’s group of community leaders and emergency officials overseeing the new cell tower project, said they have asked that the description of the agenda item be changed due to a few miscommunications, primarily due to the historic nature of the buildings around the site. The committee was surprised to see this item on the agenda, as they hadn’t even had time to get a good look at its contents.

Staff recommended that the Board approve the item to “maintain consistent, reliable telecommunication services for residents of Boca Grande,” which makes sense. It had also already been signed off on by Community Development Director Dave Loveland, Anne Henkel of Budget Services, Peter Winton of Budget Services, County Attorney Michael Jacob and Marc Mora from the County Manager’s office.

But there were still a few questions from island committee members that had not been answered at the time they last met with Vertical Bridge (the cell tower company) … questions that were supposed to have been answered prior to final submittal of a plan to the county.

West Charlotte County residents turned out in great number to let Charlotte County Commissioners know they are adamant that densities in their area need to be controlled for the protection of the people, wildlife, economy and overall wellbeing of their corner of the county … and they are most certainly concerned about putting anything that […]

The American Imperative provides insight into the complex foreign policy underbelly of our government. While it is largely ignored by the popular media, its mission is critical and clear cut: The U. S. shouldn’t attempt to be the world’s fixer, “but it must use every tool at its disposal to help developing nations move toward self-reliance and become viable allies and partners.” 

Donovan, who vacations in Boca Grande, will discuss finding common discourse through difficult dialog. We are living in a time of great discord making it hard to sustain the ties of civility which bind our nation together. Polarization is a caustic emotional state, and a major contributor to our spiritual and mental fragility. This talk will highlight the underlying issues in the current ideological division, its consequences and its potential for reversal. 

  You don’t have to be silent when visiting the big tent with the auction items at the 2023 United Methodist Women’s annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday March 4. In fact, the Silent Auction Committee is hoping for a lot of positive comments as visitors examine and bid on more than 60 items on display. […]

The Johann Fust Library Foundation is excited to present accomplished songwriter and author Layng Martine, Jr., who will speak in the library loggia on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 4 p.m. Layng’s story is an inspiring one. His book, “Permission to Fly,” is a captivating blend of humor, love, and humanity. In 2007, he wrote an essay for the New York Times’ “Modern Love” column titled “In a Charmed Life, a Road Less Traveled.” It was the most shared piece in the column’s history. Layng wrote about his and his wife Linda’s life since she was paralyzed in a car accident. The enormous response to that essay inspired him to write his memoir.