This date in the Boca Beacon: GIBA established

FIVE YEARS AGO

Englewood Helping Hand received a $5,000 donation from Boca Grande’s Lighthouse United Methodist Church.

TEN YEARS AGO

The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association announced that they had reached the $20 million mark in pledges for the Mercabo site and were aiming for the $22 million mark.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

A mulch pile was burning near Gasparilla and Linwood Roads. The fire was believed to have been started from incinerator sparks hitting the four-story high piles. 

TWENTY YEARS AGO

The Boca Grande Woman’s Club nativity scene figurines had been vandalized and needed repair. John Nelson donated his services and would be repairing the damaged figures. He said he would meet the deadline of next Christmas.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO 

GIWA announced that plans were in the works to drill one last well to a depth of 200 to 450 ft.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

Public meetings were scheduled to discuss different points of view regarding the establishment of a Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority to take over management and operation of the Boca Grande Causeway.

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

An incorrect interpretation of a letter sent to Gaspar from the U.S. Coast Guard caused the bridge to increase the length of openings which had traffic backed up to Placida Road.

FORTY YEARS AGO

The GICIA was coordinating a project renovating the lighthouse. Pilings were being sandblasted and scheduled to get a fresh coat of paint.