WEEk of JuNE 14, 2023 FLIER INSIDE
Shining stars Pine Island Elementary students compete in Lee School District Book Battle — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 47, NumbEr 6
GPICA discusses roundabout, residential development and hurricane preparedness By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
At the June 6 general meeting, the Greater Pine Island Civic Association addressed a number of issues, including a possible future roundabout on the island, a proposed residential development and hurricane preparedness for the new season. GPICA president Deborah Swisher Hicks made an announcement that there may be a general appropriations Senate bill to help fund a traffic circle on Stringfellow Road as well as Matlacha corridor repairs. Swisher Hicks admitted she didn’t know why funds were requested for the traffic circle at this point, but hopes for more information soon.
GPICA treasurer, Mike Sweeney, who attended the meeting about the Stringfellow roundabout subject with Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, said the plan had to be proposed 25 years ahead of any construction. Although a possible roundabout has been in the discussion stages for many years on Pine Island, no decision has been made to start development on this project. Morris Depew Associates project manager and engineer Stephen VerVaeke led the required public information meeting regarding 15 multi-family residences for a total of 30 units plus two single-family residences for property located on Tortuga Street in Bokeelia. The goal, he said, was to present the project and obtain feedback from the public, as this is a developmental order applica-
tion requirement set forth by Lee County. The project, he said, which is located at the north end of Pine Island, is roughly a quarter mile north of the Barancas Avenue intersection. The project, he went on, includes 4 lots, all under unified ownership under two separate LLCs, owned by the same parent entity. “The western most lot is a C1A zone property—about 1.5 acres in size. The central lot is a residential zone property RM2, that is a little over 4.5 acres in size, and then the two on the east are agriculturally zoned properties AG-2 and those make up the rest of the project area. Overall, all 4 parcels make up roughly 8.68 acres,” VerVaeke said. See GPICA, page 16
More than 80 locations provided for Summer BreakSpot program Closest available sites to Pine Island are Mariner High, Mid Cape Global Academy
Island Winn-Dixie store manager Dan Loughren with the students of Creative Coast Preschool, at the youngsters recent graduation party. Loughren and the store provided food for the special celebration
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
PHOTO PROVIDED
Winn-Dixie’s Loughren comes through for graduates of island pre-school By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
When Creative Coast Preschool kids were ready to graduate, Pine Island Winn-Dixie store manager Dan Loughren wanted to make sure they had plenty of food to eat. He said when Creative Coast Preschool owner Maria Ramirez called to ask him for help, he was more than happy to oblige. “We donated a sandwich platter, a fruit and vegetable platter and cupcakes, of course — the kids were going to want something for dessert. It was really awesome, as soon as I got there they ran up and started hug-
ging me. That was kind of nice,” Loughren said. According to Loughren, parents and staff celebrated approximately 12 preschoolers graduating, who are now headed off to kindergarten. Donating time and food is nothing new to Loughren, he said, whenever he sees a need on the island, he is sure to step in and help make things happen, at least at the store level. “In cases like these, they don’t have time to wait for a month for corporate approval, so we kind of just do See LOUGHREN, page 12
Youngsters will be fed breakfast and lunch for free once again this summer through the Summer BreakSpot program, available at more than 80 sites through July 28. “The School District of Lee County has partnered with the Summer Feeding Program for over twenty years” Food and Nutrition Services Director Kandy Messenger said in a prepared statement. “Serving summer meals to the students when school is not in session is an important service that we are able to provide.” Food and Nutrition Coordinator of Staffing and Operations Sabah Yassin said through the National School Lunch Program, the district began offering the program in Lee County in 2013. “We have to have at least a minimum of 35 days. Our locations include schools and community sites,” she said. “We feed 18 years and under. They can all have free meals all summer long.” Yassin said although school finished for the year on June 6, they do not stop feeding kids, as they understand, for some, it is their only meal. Last year in June, Yassin said they fed almost 70,000 kids lunch, almost 43,000 meals served for breakfast and 11,000 kids received an afternoon snack. “We fed quite a bit. The kids need it,” she said. In July, Yassin said they fed 33,290 kids breakfast meals, provided 59,036 lunch meals and 13,592 kids snacks. “We feed complete meals. We have the protein, the bread, vegetables, fruit and milk. We have a dietician here to calculate all the components,” she said, adding that they offer both hot and cold meals. “We vary to make it something the kids will like.” As of Monday there were 87 sites that those 18 and See SUMMER BREAKSPOT, page 12
insidetoday CERT Update.....................6 Obituary...........................12 Tides................................13 Guest Commentaries........4
Island Mahjongg...............2
On the Water....................13
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