WEEK OF AUGUST 30, 2023
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 41
City council supports lower millage rate By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
At a workshop last week, the Sanibel City Council directed staff to use a lower operating millage rate for the upcoming budget hearings than the tentative not-toexceed 2.9598 mills that it had voted on. At its July meeting, the council unanimously approved 5-0 a maximum millage rate of 2.9598 in preparing the fiscal year 2023-24 budget — an increase from the current year's rate of 1.9750 mills. Once the operating millage rate is set, it can be lowered during the budget process but not raised. During its budget workshop on Aug. 22, the council found consensus in using a lower rate of 2.5064 mills and directed staff to use that rate for the hearings on Sept. 11 and 27 on the proposed budget. It provided additional direction on reserves, appropriations and use of the state bridge loan funds. Prior to the council's discussion and directions for staff, Deputy City Manager See COUNCIL, page 20
F.I.S.H. begins new chapter with bookstore purchase F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva President and Chief Executive Officer Maggi Feiner announced the recent purchase of Gene's Books on Sanibel, which will soon serve as a one-stop shop for local families. Located at 2422 Periwinkle Way, next to the F.I.S.H. WalkIn Center, the new building will house the food pantry and other programs. The center was severely damaged by Hurricane Ian See BOOKSTORE PURCHASE, page 19
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F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva recently purchased Gene's Books on Sanibel, which will soon serve as a onestop shop for local families. From left, F.I.S.H. Board Treasurer Greg Blurton, Director Kathy Samson, Vice Chair Ellen Sloan, Chair Emeritus John Morse, President and Chief Executive Officer Maggi Feiner and Executive Director Maria Espinoza. F.I.S.H. OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA
Breeze Newspapers to release commemorative book By CJ HADDAD
cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
On Sept. 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian forever changed the landscape and lives throughout Southwest Florida. The Breeze Newspapers, which worked through numerous challenges to keep readers up-to-date throughout the storm and aftermath, have put together a commemorative book documenting and storytelling through the eyes of those who lived it.
The 128-page book features stories, first-person accounts and more than 100 photographs. Photos were crowd-sourced, which truly makes it a community project. “Although this is a book we hoped we'd never have to publish, we're incredibly proud of how it's turned out, providing a fitting record of those terrible days and weeks in picture and word, but maintaining the spirit See BOOK, page 20
alsOInsIdetOday Produced by the Breeze Newspapers, “Ian” is now available for pre-order online. BREEZE NEWSPAPERS
Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 27
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