WEEK OF JULY 9, 2025
VOLUME 63, NUMBER 34
Fund created to help islander, community member
Tax roll values rise again for Sanibel, Captiva By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
By TIFFANY REPECKI
A
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
fundraiser has been set up to help a Sanibel resident and member of the island and business community with her husband’s medical expenses following his passing last
month. Robert “Rob” William Walton, 74, passed away on June 9 — succumbing to his brave struggle with Parkinson’s disease. His family shared that it was an end to a life well-lived by a man wellloved. Walton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 and then with bladder cancer shortly after. Friends and former coworkers of his wife, Chelle Walton, have set up a GoFundMe to try to help. Before Hurricane Ian in 2022, Walton owned and operated Robert “Rob” Grounds by Green Ways, a landWilliam Walton scape and yard maintenance business on Sanibel that he founded. A freelance travel and cuisine writer and award-winning author, she is the media liaison for the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), and she provides public relations for various island entities, including the SanCap Chamber. “She’s a longtime resident and friend,” recently retired J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who organized the fundraiser with former DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller and islander MaryBeth Greenplate, said of Chelle Walton. “It’s just something that we needed to do to help her,” she added. “Just knowing financially this has been a hardship on
PHOTO PROVIDED
From left, Sanibel residents Chelle and Robert “Rob” Walton. Friends of the couple have set up a GoFundMe to help Chelle Walton with medical expenses following the loss of her husband on June 9. He was diagnosed in 2019 with Parkinson’s disease and then with bladder cancer shortly after. everything, and then with the hurricanes — it’s just been a long struggle.” Chelle Walton reported that she cannot begin to express what the gesture means to her. “Toni, MaryBeth and Toni are such wonderful friends. Their initiative and generous spirit motivated so many to help us out at this time of loss,” she said. “I am beyond grateful to them and each and every gift. So profoundly touched.” The organizers shared via the GoFundMe that Rob Walton passed away after years of fighting to live and repeated episodes of falling and emergency transport and assistance. In his final days, he was suffering from pneumonia, severe pressure wounds and heart attacks caused by the significant toll on his body and health from the cancer and Parkinson’s. Despite having medical insurance, the Walton family is facing medical bills amounting to many thousands of dollars, and more expenses are expected from his final weeks in the hospital.
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
With the rainy season officially upon Southwest Florida, have you noticed yourself swatting those annoying, biting, teensy insects away more often? While mosquitoes are present in Lee County all year, when the rain comes, the larvae develop, causing an explosion of literal billions of insects to roam across the region. Lee County Mosquito Control District officials say they have been working at a fervent pace to mitigate the 54 differ-
LEE COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT
See TAX ROLL, page 18
ISLANDERINSIDE
See FUND, page 18
Buzzy season in Southwest Florida takes flight By CJ HADDAD
Preliminary property tax valuations for the islands have increased over the earlier estimates. The Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office released its 2025 preliminary tax roll values on July 1, which now indicate a 20.20% jump for the city of Sanibel, along with a 8.17% rise for Matt Caldwell Captiva — as part of unincorporated Lee County. The valuations for both islands’ fire districts also saw increases. “The release of the tax roll values starts the process that allows jurisdictions and other taxing authorities to hold public hearings and set proposed ad valorem tax rates that will apply to property in Lee County,” Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell reported in a prepared statement.
ent species of mosquitoes that call the county home. “We never stop spraying,” LCMCD Communications Director Jen McBride said. “Mosquito season is year-round in Southwest Florida. Typically we think of (the height of) mosquito season as the start of rainy season.” McBride said the start to rain season this year was very different from last year in that it started off very significantly, whereas last year was more of a See MOSQUITOES, page 19
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
Residential Customer ECRWSS
Ft MYERS, FL Permit #5733
Eric Pfeifer | 239.472.0004
ALSOINSIDETODAY Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll...........................................4 Captiva Current...............................6 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living..................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 35
SAYANA OF SANIBEL, UNIT: 102 Newly Renovated, Unobstructed Gulf Views & Private Beach Access
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