WEEK OF DECEMBER 7, 2022 FLIER INSIDE
‘We’re Still Here’ CLT work/fun parties set for Saturday — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 46, NUMBER 31
GPIWA in full swing for Pie Island By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Greater Pine Island Water Association General Manager Mikes Maillakakis said the organization was very concerned about the island during and after Hurricane Ian. Previous general managers did a good job, he said, evidenced in the way the utility fared throughout the storm. “We made it through the storm very well—all the facilities were
Mikes Maillakakis
very hardened, so we didn’t take too much damage—the utility itself, per say,” Maillakakis said. The majority of water leaks, he said, came from the loss of docks on the island, since many people have waterlines on their dock to clean and fish. boats Maillakakis and the
board thought it would be a good idea to withhold a water bill for their customers for an extended period of time. “We thought, let’s not charge a water bill for four months—we had thought three months, but we turned it to four months because in September some people had already paid their bills, but then the storm was at the end of September so some people’s bills weren’t received or they weren’t able to send in their bill so we decided to retroactively not charge for September,” Maillakakis said.
If a payment was received, it was credited to a customer’s account, he said. Customers at Cape Royal and Saddle Wood Farms received two months free of charge due to minimal overall damage in these areas. Maillakakis emphasized that despite frustration people may have toward government agencies, some organizations in particular were very helpful to the GPIWA. “These agencies recognize that water is very important. They gave us support so See GPIWA, page 6
Millenium Physicians Group Kristin Gustin finds a way to treat those in need By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Fire Department gives out supplies By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
ccording to Fire Chief Ben Mickuleit, the Matlacha Hookers contacted the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District requesting that they store and hand out plywood and sheetrock to the community. “They donated it to the community, but the district was chosen to distribute it, because we have the staff to hand it out as well as the facilities to store it,” Mickuleit said.
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Posted on his Facebook page, Things to do on Pine Island, by islander Kevin Russell, Mickuleit said instructions were to come at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, however, they were already lining up at 8 a.m. These materials were for anyone in the community who needed them, given out on a first-come, first-served basis, he said. “There were four sheets of plywood and eight sheets of drywall—they were gone within an hour. I believe they’re going to try to continue this by getting
more donations. The community came together as a whole. Everybody is helping their neighbors and their friends, and it shows. Everybody is so close-knit here, ” Mickuleit said. Mickuleit said if any islanders have needs, thy should not hesitate to come to Station 1 where resources will be sought. The district is currently trying to determine any needs the community may have. PHOTO PROVIDED BY MATLACHA/PINE ISLAND FIRE CONTROL DISTRICT
Nurse Practitioner Kristin Gustin of Pine Island Millenium Physicians Group was determined to provide medical care, even after she boated to the island and saw the damage left by Hurricane Ian. After the storm, Gustin said, before FEMA or any medical relief teams arrived on the island, with the help of Island Kristin Gustin Tactical owner Jay Sanderson, she made trip after trip in order to care for those in need. “The next day after the storm I ended up going out to the island by boat—pretty much every day I did. I would leave in the morning around 7:30 and come home around 8 or 9,” Gustin said. Gustin, who lives in Cape Coral, said she and Sanderson always had a different boat to get to the island and always found a way to get back home. Each day, they loaded up a boat with supplies such as gasoline, food and drinks. She began doing wellness checks in the first two days, she explained, but soon found that it wasn’t enough. See GUSTIN, page 7
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