WEEK OF DECEMBER 7, 2022
VOLUME 37, NUMBER 50
Beach Elementary School in jeopardy By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Fort Myers Beach Elementary School could be at risk of closing for good this holiday season. At least two of the outer buildings will have to be torn down due to extensive salt water damage, Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Bernier said Monday at a meeting with the
community that was organized by school board trustee Chris Patricca at SkipOne Seafood on San Carlos Boulevard. The main building, which is on the National Registrar of Historic Places and dates back to the 1940's, may not have to be torn down though Bernier didn't rule it out. “My goal is to remediate the building,” Bernier said. Bernier said he would
prefer not to tear down the historic building, which would require a federal waiver. Bernier did disclose that he has been in talks with a company that has offered to remediate and clean the building at no cost, which could potentially cut down on the scope substantially. According to Bernier, the historical designation of the building slowed the cleaning as well as a
loss of his emergency powers. The school has been closed since the week of the hurricane in September. While Bernier spoke of options about rebuilding or tearing down the school, he suggested that enrollment could be raised from its current level of 50 to 150 or more though specifics on how that would See BEACH SCHOOL, page 7
DeSantis announces $25M for rebuilding
Fort Myers Beach residents pulling out of rubble, worry about future By NATHAN MAYBERG
nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
t’s been more than two months since Hurricane Ian left its scars on Fort Myers Beach. Dozens of homes are gone, along with at least 14 people and numerous businesses. Many residents are now grappling with whether to stay and rebuild while they live with friends and family. Even many of those who will not have to rebuild are still forced to stay off island due to damage to their condo buildings such as at Island Wind and Bermuda
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insidetoday
Dunes. Before Hurricane Ian, Cindy and Steve Johnson were heavily involved in civic and political activities in town. They volunteered for Turtle Time, attended the Shrimp Festival, donated gifts for the Bonita Bill’s children’s fishing contest. Mr. Johnson chaired the town’s Marine Resources Environmental Task Force and belonged to the local tarpon fishing club. After a trip back to Illinois to see family they have decided they will rebuild. “We’ve cleaned out the whole house
down to the studs,” Mr. Johnson said. “It’s going to be really difficult to build a brand new house,” Mrs. Johnson said. “Everything Is very expensive right now,” she said. Older residences on fixed incomes will be among the most vulnerable, she said. Their boat, a 23See STILL RECOVERING, page 2 Cindy Johnson stands next to the remnants of the Hideaway Village Motel which swept onto her property but was recently cleaned out of the canal. NATHAN MAYBERG
STAFF REPORT Governor Ron DeSantis announced Monday that up to $25 million in state funding will be made available to property owners impacted by Hurricane Ian to purchase building materials and up to $35.2 million in donations to the Florida Disaster Fund will be used to allow verified nonprofit organizations to conduct critical tempoGovernor rary repairs on Ron DeSantis homes damaged by Hurricane Ian. Funds from the Florida Disaster Fund will also address needs such as transportation, food assistance, housing aid, clothing, and household goods. DeSantis made the announcement during a press conference in Punta Gorda. “We are providing building materials and supporting nonprofit organizations to provide repairs so impacted residents can move back into their own homes,” DeSantis said. “Floridians are resilient, and the state stands by them every step of the way as they continue their recovery.” To apply for temporary or permanent housing repairs and to connect with other important recovery resources, impacted residents can visit the Unite Florida Hurricane Ian Recovery Portal at IanRecovery.fl.gov/Unite. See REBUILDING, page 9
Guest Commentary.....................................................4 Beach Living.................................................................8 Web Poll........................................................................4 Beach Bulletin.......................................................10-18 Business.......................................................................6