WEEK OF JANUARY 11, 2023
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 8
DeSantis delivers inaugural address
Sanibel Sea School hosts camps over holidays Over the holiday break, the Sanibel Sea School offered six days of Winter Camps on and off Sanibel, engaging with 128 children. Campers learned a little marine biology, created works of art from nature, and made friendships to last a lifetime. Favorite camp traditions lived on as campers sipped hot coco each day and surfed in the chilly Gulf of Mexico. On Dec. 28 and Jan. 4, Captiva Cruises and Sanibel Sea School teamed up to offer “A Day on the Bay,” a full day charter to North Captiva aboard Captiva Cruises' catamaran. The mornings were spent exploring the bay and Gulf side of the island, nets in hand. Campers encountered ragged sea hares, sea stars, juvenile horseshoe crabs, tunicates, snails, and more. After lunch on the boat, they headed back out for sand sculpture making, shelter building, and scavenger hunts. “It was amazing to be out on the water with kids again,” marine science educator Joey SANIBEL SEA SCHOOL Garofano said. “Everyone had so much fun. You TOP PHOTO: A Sanibel Sea School camper surfs in the chilly Gulf could feel the excitement and positive energy of Mexico during the “A Day on the Bay” trip. ABOVE: A Sanibel just to be together again.” Sea School camper finds a sea star on North Captiva. See CAMPS, page 2
Gov. Ron DeSantis delivered his second inaugural address on the morning of Jan. 3 on the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol Museum in Tallahassee, keying in on a central theme: “Freedom lives here.” The Office of the Governor reported that DeSantis outlined promises made Gov. Ron and accomplishDeSantis ments delivered; reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring “our state remains the Free State of Florida;” and pledged a rejection of “woke ideology” at the “expense of enduring principles.” Below is the full transcript of his inaugural address: Mr. Chief Justice, members of the Cabinet, and fellow citizens: From the Space Coast to the Suncoast, from St. Johns to St. Lucie, from the streets of Hialeah to the speedways of Daytona, from the Okeechobee all the way up to Micanopy. Freedom lives here, in our great Sunshine State of Florida! It lives in the courage of those who patrol the streets and keep our communities safe, it lives in the industry of those who work long hours to earn a living and raise their families, it lives in the dedication of those who teach our children, it lives in the determination of those who See DESANTIS, page 3
IslanderInsIde
Island officials describe first week of reopening as ‘smooth’ By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
With access to Sanibel and Captiva reopening to the public last week for the first time since Hurricane Ian, island officials called it a smooth transition but asked for patience as recovery efforts continue. On Jan. 2, the city of Sanibel rescinded the requirement for a hurricane re-entry pass to get onto the islands via the Sanibel Causeway. The Sanibel Police Department, Sanibel Fire and Rescue District and Captiva Island Fire Control District all reported a smooth first week, with less traffic than expected. “We are happy to report that our first week without the checkpoint went very smoothly,” SPD Deputy Chief Anthony Thompson said, adding that the only day when traffic was an issue was on Jan. 5. “As our causeway emergency restoration
continues, it was necessary ward,” Thompson added. for the Florida Department of He also noted that: Transportation's contractor to ∫ The city's curfew from require one lane of traffic 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. remains in between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” he effect. It prevents anyone, said. absent of a legitimate purpose Thompson noted that the to be on Sanibel during the traffic flaggers, however, regevening hours, from gaining ulated the flow very well. access. However, Sanibel and “It is important to rememCaptiva residents can access ber that there will be a need the islands between 9 p.m. for FDOT and their contracand 6 p.m. tors to interrupt the causeway Deputy Police Chief ∫ Beaches and beach traffic flow in the future,” he Anthony Thompson parks on Sanibel, including said of the work planned the Sanibel Lighthouse, before permanent repairs even begin. remain closed. Sanibel is not open to beach “The Sanibel Police Department encour- visitors. ages patience and understanding during ∫ The fishing pier and boat ramp on these times as FDOT and their contractors Sanibel are closed. continue emergency restoration to the See REOPENING, page 2 Sanibel Causeway and move our island for-
alsOInsIdetOday Editorial...................................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise....................10 Island Living................................12 Sports.........................................13