INSIDE: Legal Notices CITY LEGALS FICTITIOUS NAMES AUCTIONS MISCELLANEOUS
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Wednesday, April 30, 2025
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City to hold hearing on proposed utility rate bump
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
The city of Cape Coral plans to bump its irrigation water fee to help pay for a reservoir officials hope will maintain canal levels during the dry season. Cape Coral City Council will hold a public hearing on May 21 to discuss the proposed rate increase of $3.90 for irrigation services for single-family residential homes and duplexes. If the rate adjustment is approved, the flat-rate monthly cost for irrigation services at single-family residential homes and du-
News of Note
plexes will increase from $9.50 to $13.40 effective Oct. 1. A postcard was sent to residents regarding the proposed change. “The City of Cape Coral plans to amend utility rates for all utility customers. City Council will hold a public hearing on May 21, 2025, to discuss the proposed rate changes and approve the rate resolution. Rate changes would be effective Oct. 1, 2025,” it reads. The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers. The public is “invited to attend and participate in the public hear-
ing or to file written comments with the City Clerk’s Office prior to or during the hearing. If you decide to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at the hearing, you will need a record of the proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made.” Council approved the purchase of 1,202 acres in Charlotte County in October 2024, a critical investment in the city’s future, city spokesperson Lauren Kurkimilis said.
Cape to hold waste collection event this Saturday at City Hall
The city of Cape Coral will host a waste collection event on Saturday, May 3, from 7-11 a.m., in the City Hall parking lot, at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. Held in partnership with Lee County’s Solid Waste Department, this event offers residents the opportunity to safely dispose of bulk items and household chemical waste. Residents can drop off bulky items, however, white goods such as refrigerators and dishwashers will not be accepted. These semi-annual events provide residents with an additional option for responsibly discarding large or hazardous items. Participants should enter through the main City Hall entrance on Cultural Park Boulevard. Staff will collect materials directly from vehicle trunks and truck beds. Proof of Cape Coral residency may be required. Acceptable forms of proof include a photo ID with a Cape Coral address or a Cape Coral utility bill from an active account.
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“By refilling our freshwater canals, this reservoir will help support the city’s irrigation system, especially during the dry season when water levels drop. This project helps protect our environment and preserve our water resources. It’s a critical step in making Cape Coral more resilient, sustainable, and ready for continued growth,” she said. Due to this acquisition, a rate adjustment is required to support the purchase, she said.
Final bow
See UTILITY RATE, page 2
This season will be the last for Southwest Florida Symphony
By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
CCFD’s Parker takes last ride home By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
A high-ranking member of the Cape Coral Fire Department called it a career after three decades of service, taking his final ride home to friends and family Friday. James “Jim” Parker, division chief of Operations for CCFD, was welcomed home with open arms after the sun set on a meaningful and impactful career serving the Southwest Florida community. The Cape Coral High School graduate and Army veteran joined CCFD in 1998 after three years with the Naples Fire Department, and served as Division Chief of Operations since April of 2020. “It feels really good,” Parker said of his final ride home on the truck he drove as a lieutenant, with his family outside waiting. “It goes by fast. Before you know it, it’s here. When you see everybody, it means a lot. “It’s emotional. We did a little gathering at work. People from the city were there, people you interact with every day. It’s great because you strive to finish and retire, and at the same time, you’re saying goodbye. It’s emotional, but satisfying.” Parker, 55, also served in the positions of firefighter, engineer/driver, lieutenant, and battalion
See PARKER, page 4
PHOTO PROVIDED
Jim Parker, division chief of Operations for the Cape Coral Fire Department, retired last Friday.
A Southwest Florida staple is saying goodbye after more than six decades of presenting orchestral performances for the community. The Southwest Florida Symphony announced Tuesday its decision to permanently close, with operations continuing through June 30. As Lee County’s only professional orchestra and one of the oldest symphony orchestras in Florida, the Southwest Florida Symphony created a legacy in Lee and Charlotte counties. The symphony played a substantial role in helping community members discover and enrich their love of music. “We are so proud of the countless joyous experiences and treasured memories that the Southwest Florida Symphony has provided to residents, visitors and music lovers across our community over 64 years,” said Tom Uhler, president of the board of trustees for the Southwest Florida Symphony, in a release. “We are honored to have the longtime support of many donors, supporters and concert goers who have shared our love for orchestral music over the years. While we bid farewell to this chapter, the Southwest Florida Symphony team remains committed to preserving the rich legacy of orchestral music and its impact on the community.” Established as the Fort Myers Symphony in 1961 as a community orchestra consisting of 24 volunteer musicians, the symphony spent its early years performing a handful of concerts in community centers, schools and churches, growing a following throughout the region. In 1981, it merged with a chorus and became the Southwest Florida Symphony
See FINAL BOW, page 2