WEEK OF DECEMBER 14, 2022
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 4
City expects to reopen islands to all in January
Refuge opens annual photo contest for high schoolers he 10th annual “Ding” DarlingTheodore Cross High School Photography Contest has kicked off with a deadline of March 1. It invites high school students in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties to compete for prizes that include a Canon digital SLR camera package, oneyear subscription to Adobe photography software, and one-year family pass to all Florida state parks. Cross, who lived part-time on Sanibel, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; advised the Johnson and Nixon administrations on anti-poverty programs; wrote the influential book “Black Capitalism,” among others; played a prominent role in President Barack Obama’s election; and created Birders United — a birding website that ranked legislators according to their record of bird protection support. Late in life, Cross decided to indulge his love for birds and photography and traveled the world to collect stunning portraits and stories to chronicle his adventures. He shot often at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, and a number of the images in his book reflect his love for it.
By TIFFANY REPECKI
T
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
DANI MOSER
Dani Moser, first place in Cross publ i s h e d “Waterbirds” in 2009 at age 85; he passed away shortly after that in 2010. “The Theodore Cross Family Charitable Foundation has made possible this contest with a generous grant to the 'Ding' Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge,” DDWS Executive Director Birgie Miller said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that they wanted their donation used in this way
of Cape Coral High School, won last year's contest with “Fly.” for a 10th year.” “We are so happy to be supporting a contest in my father’s name, a contest that will get our youth involved with nature by looking at it — as my father so loved doing — through a camera lens,” daughter Amanda Cross said. Digital image entries can be shot from any outdoor venue in Florida. A writing component to the contest requires entrants grades 9-12 to submit a 100-word description of the “moment” captured and how it reflects what nature and wildlife mean to the photographer.
The Sanibel City Council learned of an anticipated opening date for the Sanibel Causeway to those without city-issued, hurricane re-entry passes — the general public — at its meeting last week. On Dec. 6, city department officials provided the council with updates on the ongoing Hurricane Ian recovery efforts as part of the monthly meeting agenda. In his report, City Manager Dana Souza explained that staff is expecting the causeway can be reopened to non-pass holders starting on Jan. 2. “This has not been a decision we have taken lightly,” he said, noting that he and Sanibel Police Chief William “Bill” Dalton have had lengthy conversations about when it would be possible to do that. “Jan. 2 is the date that we anticipate passes will no longer be needed,” Souza added. As for why that date, he explained that See ISLANDS TO REOPEN, page 5
IslanderInsIde
See PHOTO CONTEST, page 2
Fire commissioners OK trailer purchase for station By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
The Sanibel and Fire Rescue District's commission recently approved the purchase of a temporary structure for Station 172 during a special meeting, as well as signed off on a resolution, a procurement policy and a disaster loan. On Dec. 5, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on the purchase of a single-wide trailer from Industrial Housing Solutions to serve as temporary housing at the station on Sanibel-Captiva Road. The lease agreement is for six months and the initial deposit is $14,050, including delivering and set up. The district will have to cover the water and electricity.
All costs are micro-purchase self-certireimbursable fication. In order to comthrough the disply with federal, state and trict's insurance emergency public-assisted for up to 24 guidance, the district had months. to establish and self-certify Prior to the vote, a micro-purchase threshold Commissioner amount of $50,000 for Richard McCurry asked emergency — an increase what would happen if the from $10,000 — and a district still needs the trailthreshold amount of er to serve as temporary $10,000 for non-emerhousing at the station when gency procurements. the lease expires after the During the meeting, the Fire Chief six months. commissioners also voted 3Kevin Barbot Fire Chief Kevin Barbot 0 to approve the district's reported that they can Procurement Policy in order renew the lease if they need to. to proceed with rebuilding Station 172. Also at the meeting, the commission See FIRE COMMISSIONERS, page 3 voted 3-0 to approve a resolution for
alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Island Faces..................................10 Preserving Paradise....................12 Island Living................................14 Sports.........................................16