WEEk of auguST 14, 2024 FLIER INSIDE
Helping kids F.I.S.H.’s 24th Basket Brigade for island youth another huge success — INSIDE pINEISlaND-EaglE.com
VolumE 48, NumbEr 15
Celebrating Pine Islanders: Carol Scott By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com.com
Matlacha Civic Association President Carol Scott said she is a problem solver and that she very much enjoys her role as president with the Civic Association, however, no matter what else is going on, her family comes first. She and her husband, Joe, moved to Matlacha in 2010, although, she said, her family originally moved to Lee County in 1977. She has been on and off the Greater Lee County American Cancer Society, Relay For Life and a leader for 25 years, she said, adding that she’s proud to work with them every year. According to Scott, there was no definitive moment in which Pine Island became special because, to her, it always was and still is. “Our goal was always to get out here. We worked hard
and saved our money and bought our first piece of property out here in Matlacha. We came out here every chance we had and when we got close to retirement we thought we’d better build a house,” Scott said. The idea pulling friendships together came about thanks to the island community, she said, crediting the many dear souls who are Carol Scott already life-long friends. Everyone, she said, needs to do things together to make the island shine.
“The island has a lot of artists. I thought of us pulling ourselves together and doing projects, like the ‘paint and picnic’ where we painted the pilings and palm trees in Matlacha. It was simple, just pulling the artists together,” Scott said. Trying to describe the island to someone who has never heard of it, she said, is answered with the words, unique, historic — dating back to the Calusa Indians, and surrounded by beautiful waterways, where everyone knows each other. In addition to confessing that she asks God to make her a tool to make others happy, Scott said her greatest wish for the island applies now, in 2024. “I would wish that our restoration from Hurricane Ian See CAROL SCOTT, page 15
GPICA hosts candidates for Lee County Commission By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Centennial Bank utilizes shred boxes for Pine Island Food Pantry donations By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Centennial Bank has a shred company, which sent many boxes to the Pine Island branch, that turned out to be un-needed. Branch Manager Elsie Stearns said she didn’t want to simply throw the boxes in the garbage, but decided instead to give them a purpose. The boxes were decorated and a food drive was started, aptly named, "Stock the Box." “Being a member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, I knew their pantry donations were down and the requests were up because season is over and businesses and things are slower now,” Stearns said.
Centennial Bank's food drive continues until the end of August. Food can be dropped off at the bank at 5551 Sunset Lane, St. James City. Call 239-283-1618 for additional information. Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church is at 12175 Stringfellow Road. Call 239-283-0456 for information. Centennial Bank employees, above, from left, Assistant Manager Kim Essley, teller Lillie Overbaugh and Elsie Stearns, vice president and senior branch manager. PROVIDED
Candidates for the Lee County Commission in the primary election on Aug. 20, were the special guests of the Greater Pine Island Civic Association at the group's August meeting. The idea was to have a candidates’ forum, designed to allow community residents an opportunity learn about the people running for the Lee County Commission. GPICA President Deborah Swisher-Hicks introduced the three candidates, in attendance, David Mulicka, who running for District 3; Amanda Cochran, who is running in District 5; and Mike Greenwell, who is the District 5 commission incumbent. Matthew Thornton, who running for the District 3 seat, was unable to attend. Cochran began by telling members her family is local by six generations and that she has been both a wife and a business woman for 25 years. Having never planned on a life in politics, what brought her to this arena was a radically changed community, she said. “My mother taught me, ‘You don’t get to complain unless you’re willing to be part of the solution,'” Cochran said. It was at that point, she said, she dug in and studied the process involved in becoming a County Commissioner. She said she would like to represent Lee County as a voice of reason. “I say often that I am endorsed by the people, not the powerful,” Cochran said, finishing her opening statement with a promise that if elected, she will serve the people of Lee County with transparency and accountability. Mulicka, who is a Bokeelia resident and the president of Honc Destruction, gave a thank you to Honc Industries owner Dan Honc, who is his uncle, as well as his father, John, owner of Honc Marine, and began his opening statement saying he is very proud of the Honc See CANDIDATES, page 14
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