Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor, Opinion.
Better communication needed among island entities BY EMERSON WICKWIREEditor’s Note: Boca Grande resident Emerson Wickwire presented this letter to the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority board this week. Wickwire sent it to the Beacon as a letter to the community. I ran unsuccessfully for a voting board seat in last November’s election in hopes of expanding […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
BY EMERSON WICKWIRE I applaud the Beacon, serving both as a community platform for ideas to identify and resolve community issues, as well as a central source of information on issue background and facts. I have followed the surge of Beacon letters commenting not just on our ever-present parking issues, but also on the pending […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community History, News.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved four projects at their Sept. 11, 2024 meeting, including two Tesla solar projects. Present were members Barbara Wickwire, Paul Eddy, Jerry Edgerton, Becky Paterson and Chair Bill Caldwell. The first request was to legitimize a black chain link fence at 1771 17th St. E. The fence was […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News, Real Estate.
Question of parking signage raised to staff The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board met Wednesday, and approved two projects, including an addition to a house at 235 Banyan St., and a renovation to the 3rd Street Bistro, at 310 East Railroad Ave. Members present were Peggy Stanley, Barbara Wickwire, Paul Eddy, Dennis Maloomian, Jerry Edgerton, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, Community History, News.
Three projects, including a renovation and expansion of the Boca Grande Community Center, were each unanimously approved by the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board on July 10. In spite of the quietness of the summer, the board was able to get a quorum, with members Peggy Stanley, Barbara Wickwire, Paul Eddy, Jerry Edgerton and Rebecca […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
In news from the most recent meeting of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, members approved allowing Lee County to install a license tag reader on the bridge, as well as noting a 19 percent increase in traffic in the first half of the fiscal year. Currently, GIBA keeps the tag information of drivers crossing the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: As 25-year B.G. homeowners my wife and I hear mounting questions from residents as they try to understand the reasoning for the many recent impactful decisions made by the boards of our local institutions. While so many of us listen to questions on and disagreements with these decisions, we believe they are […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
It was perhaps the briefest of Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board meetings. The Wednesday, March 13 meeting included just one item on the agenda, an accessory building for a garden by applicant Peggy Stanley. Stanley serves on the Board but recused herself from the meeting, to be an applicant herself. Members present included Barbary Wickwire, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority elected a new chairman at its Tuesday, Feb. 13 meeting. The former vice chairman, Drew Tucker, was elected chairman. George Milne was elected vice chair. “I have enjoyed it but I do believe in term limits,” said outgoing Chairman Ginger Watkins. During the meeting, Watkins took a look back at […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News, Real Estate.
A frame storefront in Boca Grande, 446 4th Street East, is now officially a contributing building in the historic district. The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved the designation. The building is familiar to residents as Bowen Construction and tenant Newlin’s Mainely Gourmet. It is known for its familiar whale sign, and comfortable benches outside. […]