WEEK OF DECEMBER 14, 2022 FLIER INSIDE
Free meals Insurance Busters group feeding those in need at German American Club — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 46, NUMBER 32
GPICA meeting focuses on Hurricane Ian resources By MEGHAN BRADBURY
news@breezenewspapers.com
Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie attended the Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting last Tuesday night to provide the islanders with more information post Hurricane Ian. “I will be here in Fort Myers the rest of the week and in and out over the next two to three years,” he said. “What you guys are doing from a volunteer standpoint is fantastic. Let me thank you. Next week someone from the State of Florida will be here.” He assured residents that there will be someone, a single point of contact, on the island to help vet and verify information, so everyone has correct resource information. Guthrie also spoke about www.IanRecovery.fl.gov.
“If you are not in our system, I can't get you help. We want to help you get the necessary help you need,” he said. The website includes two “buckets,” one that focuses on housing, and the other unmet needs. He said the department was able to get the first person into housing on Pine Island Tuesday. “That is a direct result of someone going into IanRecovery.Fl.gov,” Guthrie said. The website will ask for such information as the individual's name, address, phone number and FEMA registration number. With that information, individuals will
have the opportunity to qualify for the state's six month travel trailer program. “It is not a permanent travel trailer. That trailer is owned by the state of Florida. In six months I am going to come back and hook that trailer up and take it away. For people that are living in tents and deplorable conditions, six months in a travel trailer is better. We are going to put travel trailers in flood plains. It is a temporary solution,” Guthrie said, as a waiver has been put into place, as the law prohibits this from happening. The second bucket, unmet needs, Guthrie said, provides qualified 501c3 organizations with the ability for them to pass money to the organizations to buy supplies they need. The Florida Department of Management will See GPICA, page 8
Generosity runs deep on the islands Beacon hosts Holiday House of Hope By CHUCK BALLARO
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Marina owner: Adjusting a key to surviving Ian By CRAIG GARRETT
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Adjustment has kept Staci Stevens in business. The Monroe Canal Marina in St. James City that she co-owns was a healthy store, had a repair business, boat rentals, supplies, fishing charters and 10 docks, pretty much the ideal Florida waterfront shop. Then Hurricane Ian struck. Things were much different in the following weeks, said Stevens, a Realtor and nursery co-owner who now leases to a Panama City firm that hoists and stores damaged boats on the marina grounds, for instance. RJ Marine Construction has pulled about 250 boats from the waterways, trucking the smaller ones a mile away on Stringfellow Road. The 20- and 30-ton yachts are
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kept on marina grounds. A worker operating a 200-ton crane and other salvage crews had worked 6-day weeks since Ian, breaking for Thanksgiving. They expected a short break for the holidays, one worker said. A tree nursery owned by the Stevens family accommodates the smaller boats until insurance settlements See ADJUSTING, page 6 Workers from RJ Marine Construction use a 200-ton crane to place storm damaged boats for storage on the Monroe Canal Marina property in St. James City.
Athlete of the Week...........8 Guest Commentary...........4
CRAIG GARRETT
Letter to the Editor............4 Obituary...........................14
There has never been a more urgent time for generosity in Southwest Florida as there is now. Countless families are still homeless and in urgent need of help following Hurricane Ian more than two months ago. The Beacon of Hope, a United Way partner agency, has seen a particular need in the Pine Island, Matlacha, Bokeelia and St. James City areas, and is looking to do all it can. This past weekend, the organization held its 13th annual Holiday House of Hope event at the historic Tarpon Lodge, its biggest fundraiser of the year, where there was no shortage of good cheer and a desire to help. “For 13 years, we’ve brought in artists and authors and brought in their beautiful wares. The community comes out and it’s just become a tradition for the island,” said Elsie Stearns, organizer of the event. “People can come in and relax and enjoy.” “We usually bring in about $50,000-plus. But maybe not this year because many people have other things to spend their money on,” said Carol Regan, president of the Beacon of Hope’s board. “I’ve signed checks for more than $90,000, and the money we’ve received for Ian relief, we’ve set aside. It’s all going to the community.” The first two days, Friday and Saturday, were late afternoon and evening affairs for adults, with live music, wine and appetizers. Guests were able to stroll the grounds, enjoy the local vendors and artisans, take part in the tree auction and view the spectacular sunset over the water. Sunday was family fun day, featuring Santa Claus and fun activities for the kids. The firefighters from the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District cooked hot dogs, and the Matlacha Hookers Bobbie Holloway Memorial and the American Legion were doing crafts for the kids. There was also face painting, and a deejay doing Christmas line dancing. See HOLIDAY HOUSE OF HOPE, page 12
Web Poll.............................4 Worship Directory.............6
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