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News Archive Index
07-31-2006
Lee County Commissioners will be asked tomorrow to consider decreasing the millage rate for ad valorem taxes. This has some environmental activists concerned. A slice of property taxes in Lee County fund the land conservation program known as 20/20. Under the current millage rate – the revenue would be 40 million dollars next year. But County Manager Don Stillwell, who’s recommending the rate reduction says the program will still be very well funded.
“The least amount I’ve head is 20/20 would get 32 million dollars next year. There’s no cut. It’s a reduction in the millage rate which would reduce the number of dollars the county gets.”
Stillwell says the reduction is being considered because of the increase in property values which has translated into more tax revenues. At the current rate the county is looking at a 130 million dollar surplus – Stillwell he’d like some of that money to remain in the pockets of citizens. Funds from 20/20 have been used to purchase more than 12 thousand acres of environmentally sensitive land in Lee County.
07-31-2006
A Nobel Peace Prize winner is adding her voice to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Campaign against McDonalds.
Jody Williams won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for her work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. She says she supports the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ efforts to eliminate unfair conditions in U-S agriculture. A network of human rights, labor, religious and student organizations called “Alliance for Fair Food” has also just announced it’s endorsing the coalition’s campaign. Sarah Osmer is with Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida, one of the Coalition’s local partners.
“These are just 2 of the dozens of people and organizations across the country that are joining together with the Coalition in asking McDonalds to work with the farm workers to make changes in the wages and working conditions of tomato pickers.”
Osmer says they’ve got an ongoing dialogue with McDonalds – but it’s representatives have chosen not to work with Coalition so far.
She says while there is no call for a boycott of McDonalds yet, it could be a possibility. The group boycotted Taco Bell’s parent company, Yum Brands, for 4 years until it agreed to raise tomato pickers’ wages by a penny per pound.
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The Coalition of Immokalee Worker’s campaign against fast food giant McDonalds has gotten some notable endorsements.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams – and a nationwide group called Alliance For Fair Food – have both recently added their voices to the coalition’s campaign. Sarah Osmer with Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida, one of the Coalition’s local partners, says it’s unlikely the effort will put a dent in McDonald’s sales…so it’s more about trying to educate the public.
“McDonalds has chosen not to work with the Coalition, they’ve chosen the path of resistance. And so we have pretty consistent dialogue back and forth with them but to this point they haven’t chosen to work with us.”
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers led a 4-year boycott against the parent company of Taco Bell…and it succeeded when Yum Brands, agreed to pay farm workers a penny more per pound of tomatoes picked. Osmer says while there’s no plan for a McDonalds boycott…the idea hasn’t been ruled out.
07-28-2006
After 20 years hosting the program America’s Most Wanted, John Walsh is a household name. But in 1981, Walsh was working as a hotel executive in Florida when his six year old son Adam was abducted. On the 25th anniversary of Adam’s kidnapping, President Bush signed a new law giving authorities more power to track sex offenders nationwide. White House Correspondent Corbett Daly has details.
07-28-2006
The Senate is debating a bill that would open up more than eight million acres of the Gulf of Mexico to oil and natural gas drilling. Republican Florida Senator Mel Martinez says Florida will be protected and supports the bill. But Florida Democrat Bill Nelson is concerned the U-S House could change the legislation. From Capitol Hill, Terry Gildea reports.
07-27-2006
To fertilize or not to fertilize – that is the question. A group of experts will be on hand this evening in Ft. Myers to provide some answers. Some scientists say there’s a link between runoff from nitrogen and phosphorous in fertilizer and algae blooms. Others say there a link hasn’t been proven. Experts of both sides will speak at the Fertilizer Evaluation Forum sponsored by the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Horticulture agent Steven Brown will moderate -
“what we’re trying to do is lay out some of the assumptions and some of the facts and let the county and city commissioners – give them some information to chew on and let them make the difficult decision.”
The City of Sanibel is considering restricting the use of some kinds of fertilizer – so is Sarasota County. Speakers include Dr. Larry Brand of the University of Miami and Dr. Cindy Heil of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The meeting begins at 6:00 at the Lee County Extension Service on Palm Beach Boulevard in Ft. Myers.
07-27-2006
There is a new addition at the Naples Zoo. A baby Colobus monkey was born as a part of a national program that helps protect animals.
Colobus monkeys are native to the rainforests of Africa. But today in Florida one can be seen by guests on the Primate Expedition Cruise at the Naples Zoo. The monkey is part of a national program called the Species Survival Plan, which breeds animals from different zoos to maintain their genetic diversity and increase their chances for survival. Executive Director of the Naples Zoo, David Tetzlaff, explains why Colobus monkeys, in particular, need to be protected.
“Animals like Colobus monkeys are still poached believe it or not. They have these long flowing white capes that are still used in ceremonial headdresses and so forth. Colobus monkeys are also killed for what is called the bush meat trade in Africa, where Native species are killed and their meat is sold in markets. And also Africa’s growing just like every other place in the planet and Colobus monkeys are becoming road kill in a lot of places.”
When he gets older, this new monkey will eventually be relocated to another zoo in Canada. Tetzlaff says through the Species Survival Plan the Naples Zoo helps protect other animals as well, such as the IndoChinese tiger and the African wild dog.
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A Colobus monkey has been born in the Naples Zoo. He is part of a national program called the Species Survival Plan. Executive Director of the Naples Zoo, David Tetzlaff, says the cooperative breeding program works like a computer dating service for animals.
“It matches up animals who, in this case, should be genetically compatible because you need that genetic diversity for the future species obviously in the wild but also outside the wild. Zoos kind of act like Arcs or storehouses of living genetic material outside the wild that guarantee the species will survive.”
Tetzlaff says the Colobus monkeys, native to Central Africa, are still poached there because of their fur and meat. The Naples Zoo is also helping other animals through the Species Survival Plan, such as the IndoChinese tiger and the African wild dog. When he gets older, the baby monkey will be relocated to another zoo in Canada.
07-26-2006
Fifty years ago today the luxury liner Andrea Doria collided with another ship - the Stocholm - off the coast of New England and sank. Fifty people perished. Andrew Stevens of Rotonda was on board the Andrea Doria - with his parents. They were returning to the United States after living in Paris for two years. As Stevens recalls, the collission around 11:30 at night - in a deep fog.
“it was very foggy. I had gone out on deck about twenty minutes before and I could not see the bow of our ship the Doria, nor could I see when looking over our the rail of our ship the wake of the ship passing by the ship.”
Stevens and his parents escaped down a rope to a bobbing life boat and were eventually picked up by another ship - the Isle De France. WGCU Public Televisions will broadcast the story of the Andrea Doria tonight at 8:00 on "Secrets of the Dead".
07-26-2006
Epiphany Cathedral in Venice was overflowing with Catholics from around southwest Florida – and a host of Church Dignitaries - to witness the ordination of a new Bishop. Frank Dewane will become second Bishop of the Diocese of Venice when Bishop John Nevins retires this later. Dewane says as spiritual leader of the Diocese one of his top priorities will be attracting more to serve.
“I don’t believe we have fewer callings by the holy spirit or god for vocations – I do think there are fewer people responding to it, in the midst of a society that has a great deal it may appear to be to limiting of oneself – and find young people who are able to accept that challenge.”
Dewane comes to Southwest Florida from Rome where he served as undersecretary for the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. The Diocese of Venice was founded in 1984 – it includes 10 southwest Florida counties – with about 230 thousand Catholics. W-G-C-U’s Valerie Alker will have a full report on the ordination coming up.
07-26-2006
About two-thousand area Catholics filled the Epiphany Cathedral in Venice Tuesday to witness the ordination of a new Bishop. 56-year-old Frank Dewane will take over as leader of the Diocese later this year when Bishop John Nevins - now 75 – retires.
W-G-C-U’s Valerie Alker prepared this report.
07-26-2006
Plans are moving ahead at Florida Gulf Coast University to try to find affordable housing solutions for its faculty and staff. F-G-C-U has about 800 fulltime workers and as the region’s cost of living has zoomed up, the university has had a tougher time dealing with the housing issue for its faculty and staff. F-G-C-U President Bill Merwin says he’s still very interested in an idea to build on-campus apartments and homes for employees. He envisions it as a faculty and staff village.
“With bike paths and walking paths from their homes right up to the university which would cut down on the need for parking; cut down on the need for congestion and fuel consumption and energy costs and all of those kind of things.”
Merwin spoke on Gulf Coast Live. He says the biggest obstacle is a donation of land from surrounding neighbors. Merwin says he has two FGCU staffers working on the issue on a weekly basis.
07-25-2006
City council members in Avon Park vote up or down tonight on a proposed ordinance that would fine landlords who rent to so-called “illegal immigrants”. Dubbed “The Illegal Immigration Relief Act” – the ordinance would fine landlords a thousand dollars for each undocumented person they rent to. Two city council members oppose the ordinance. Mayor Tom Macklin is part of the majority of three. He says illegal immigrants are destroying Avon Park’s character.
“Now that they’re finding low paying construction jobs they’re here year round and that actually compounds the problems in an enforcement mode because the homes are occupied a greater period of the year.”
Avon Park is city of 8 thousand in Highland’s County – about twenty percent of its residents are Hispanic. The proposed ordinance would also make English the official language. Mary Bauer of the Southern Poverty Law Center says it’s legally flawed and mean spirited.
“it’s a ordinance that’s been making the rounds. it’s an ordinance that’s been proposed in similar form in Hazleton penn. and san bernadino California so its clearly being marketed by the anti immigrant crowd .”
The public hearing is at 6:00 followed by the vote. Avon Park Mayor Tom Macklin says he’s willing to defend any legal changes.
07-25-2006
Naples-based Health Management Associates announced Monday it will sell three hospitals. The move is part of an effort to shore up shaky earnings. After the sale of the three hospitals in West Virginia and Arkansas, H-M-A will operate 59 facilities in 14 states. The sale comes a few months after the rural hospital operator announced its earnings had slowed. Executives blamed soaring Medicare costs, a jump in uninsured patients and malpractice insurance hikes. But analyst Sheryl Skolnick of C-R-T Capital says H-M-A shouldn’t stop now...
“Perhaps focusing more on the company’s roots of rural hospitals as opposed to things that look a whole lot more urban like the Orlando region. Or even the west coast of Florida. I would hesitate to describe Naples as a rural market.”
H-M-A recently purchased the former Cleveland Clinic in Collier County. Skolnick says she wouldn’t be surprised if H-M-A sells even more unprofitable hospitals in the coming months.
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Shares of Health Management Associates start the day three-percent higher. It comes after the Naples-based rural hospital operator announced it plans to sell three of its facilities in West Virginia and Arkansas. H-M-A has reduced its earnings outlook this year and hinted a few months ago it might sell some operations. H-M-A owns about 60 hospitals nationwide and had been on a buying spree the last few years. But now analyst Sheryl Skolnick of C-R-T Capital says this latest message is confusing.
“This is inconsistency of we get big. We get small. We get big. We get small. [It] can make one feel a little bit like you’re watching a tennis match as opposed to watching a company with a very clear, long-term strategic growth plan.”
Skolnick says H-M-A was a little late to recognize the problems in the healthcare field of soaring Medicare costs and malpractice insurance hikes.
07-25-2006
The CRA Qualified Investment Fund is reaching out to help Hurricane Charley victims. The mutual fund is part of a money management organization. The CRA Fund is investing 7 million dollars in the Charlotte County Hurricane Housing Recovery Program. This investment is creating a pool of millions of dollars that lenders can use to create new home mortgages. The CRA Fund Portfolio Manager Barbara VanScoy says the money will go toward home financing.
“It will be primarily low and moderate income families in Charlotte County that are looking to either purchase homes or to re-have their existing home that may have been damaged by the hurricane. / They’re not going to be given like a grant or lump sum of money. What they’re doing is they’re working with mortgage lenders and they’re getting slightly below mortgage rates.”
VanScoy says she hopes this investment will be the first of many to come from the CRA Fund. Category 4 Hurricane Charley struck Charlotte Harbor on Friday the 13th two years ago leaving thousands homeless and becoming the third costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
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Thousands of people were left homeless by Hurricane Charley and many are still struggling. That’s why the CRA Qualified Investment Fund, part of a money management organization, is investing 7 million dollars in the Charlotte County Hurricane Housing Recovery Program. The CRA Portfolio Manager Barbara VanScoy says this investment provides a good example.
“I think that this is a good template for going forward in other natural disasters to help revitalize and stabilize areas that have been hurt by natural disasters. /We’re just very excited about being able to do this in our home state of Florida and that we hope this will be just the first.”
VanScoy says the investment will help primarily low and moderate-income families by creating a pool of millions of dollars lenders can use to originate new home mortgages. This will help those left homeless by the storm by giving them slightly lower mortgage rates.
07-24-2006
The brother of Israeli Prime Mininster Ehud Olmert was in Southwest Florida this weekend. Yossi Olmert spoke Sunday in the Student Union Ballroom at Florida Gulf Coast University. He says his brother has the support of the majority of Israeli’s in the current armed conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“he’s a very strong person, a democratically elected leader – and he leads the state of Israel as far as I can judge from the facts that I have in my command – he enjoys the support of over 80 percent of the Israeli people as shown by public opinion polls and the steadfast resolute – always on the defense of the Jewish people.”
Yossi Olmert current lives in New York and lectures widely. His lecture at FGCU was sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Collier County.
Meanwhile members of the local Arab community and others rallied outside the Student Union at FGCU Sunday to show their support for Lebanese civilians One of the organizers is Fouad Jaber, an area resident and Lebanese citizen.
“We want to point out that Lebanese citizens are suffering from the Israeli bombing and our aim to get the world to see that and have a cease fire immediately and then whatever Israel wants can be negotiated but they have to stop and have a cease fire immediately, and that’s the aim of our rally.
Jaber is scientist with the University of Florida Research Center in Immokalee.
07-24-2006
Punta Gorda City Council Members were briefed on possible solutions to the city’s affordable housing shortage Friday. Hurricane Charley 2 years ago pummeled Punta Gorda taking out close to 300 affordable housing units. There’s been a flurry of construction since then – but most of the new housing is classified as upscale as opposed to workforce. Punta Gorda’s Urban Design Manager David Hilston says options up for consideration include setting up an urban land trust.
“plus the land trust comes into play in that we can reduce the cost of the home by pulling out the value of the land thereby making it affordable.”
The city is also taking ideas for ways to provide more affordable on at it’s website – www.PuntaGorda.fl.us.
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There’s a flurry of building go on in and around Punta Gorda these days. One of Hurricane Charley’s legacies is many empty lots. But luxury homes are going up where modestly priced homes once stood. The city’s urban design manager, David Hilston is looking for ways to encourage developers to build affordable housing. He’ll present strategies for that at today’s City Council meeting – including ways to promote mixed use construction.
“how can we incorporate mixed use into new projects coming in and how can we provide inclusionary zoning that would be a functional mix of high end middle and low end housing”
Punta Gorda lost about 300 units of affordable housing to Hurricane Charley. Part of that was public housing. Funding is now in place for the Punta Gorda Housing Authority to begin construction on 80 new units.
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