WEEK OF MAY 31, 2023
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 28
School district continues storm recovery By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
The School District of Lee County continues to make progress in the wake of damage left behind from Hurricane Ian. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said last week there has been an advertisement for bid regarding demolition of the Hector A. Cafferata Jr. E l e m e n t a r y Dr. Christopher Bernier School in Cape Coral. The demolition drawings have been completed and the demolition will be posted this week. There also has been a competitive bid for demolition at the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, excluding the historical building. Bernier said there is a lot of work See STORM RECOVERY, page 5
Sanibel fire taking registrations for CPR/AED class By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
he island community is encouraged to sign up for a class TThethat could help save a life one day. Sanibel Fire and Rescue District is taking registrations for the Heartsaver CPR/AED First Aid course on June 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Station 171 on Sanibel. Taught by certified American Heart Association instructors with the district, participants will learn how to recognize and perform CPR on an
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individual in cardiac arrest and how to render basic first aid during certain medical emergencies. “We want this kind of information disseminated because See CPR/AED CLASS, page 17 The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District recently offered the Heartsaver CPR/AED First Aid course at Station 171 on Sanibel. Registration is open for another class on June 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT
Split vote leaves open seat on Sanibel library board vacant By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Sanibel Public Library District's board was unable to fill an open seat at its meeting. On May 25, the district's Board of Commissioners held a vote to make an appointment to former Commissioner Barbara Ruben's seat; Ruben had to resign because she had moved offisland. Of the seven people who applied, four candidates each received one vote from the four members present. Due to virtual attendance, a fifth
commissioner of the six was not allowed to cast a vote. In reading the ballots, library Office Manager Cathy Cameron explained that no applicant got two votes. Matthew Gaudreau, Shelley Greggs, Linda Hines and Patricia Norton each received one. “Essentially, what we have is a fourway tie,” Treasurer Sandra Zahorchak said. Leslie Cimino, Robin Coleman and Susan Wener were the other candidates. The board discussed holding a second vote, but acknowledged that no one was likely to select a different appli-
cant. After a look at the commission's bylaws and some further discussion, it decided to defer the vote to the next meeting on June 22 so more commissioners could be present and vote. Zahorchak questioned if the seven candidates would be reconsidered or have to reapply. Commissioner Melanie Congress reported that she would research the process moving forward and notify the others of her findings, then the library could contact the applicants and let See LIBRARY BOARD, page 5
alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 26