WEEK OF DECEMBER 21, 2022 FLIER INSIDE
GPIA is working for Pine Island residents — INSIDE PINEISLAND-EAGLE.COM
VOLUME 46, NUMBER 33
Commissioner Ruane promises to stand shoulder to shoulder with Pine Island By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
Lee County Commissioner, Kevin Ruane has agreed to attend weekly meetings of the Greater Pine Island Alliance, in an effort to get Pine Island back on track in the wake of Hurricane Ian, saying that Pine Island is his district, and he will be there every week until we recover.
Kevin Ruane
“I will be there every Tuesday to understand what the community needs are,” Ruane said. Ruane, who spent many hours on Pine Island Sunday, Dec. 11, discussing how best to go about helping with things such as debris removal and housing those who lost their homes in the hurricane,
simply sees it as his duty to stand with the island, saying he will do the best he possibly can. After having asked to be responsible for the recovery of Lee County by acting as chair of the long term recovery task force, Ruane said, his inclination has always been to run towards, rather than away from a fire. “My job is to try to help. I will advocate—like I have in Tallahassee all week—to make sure we go to
Washington next. I asked for the job, I asked to be chairman of the long term recovery task force of Lee County,” Ruane said. While Ruane admits he is in awe of the tenacity of Pine Islanders, saying it’s like nothing he’s ever seen, he emphasizes that this is his district, and he will respond by taking each and every phone call and text, attend weekly meetings, and currently See RUANE, page 9
John R Wood holds Christmas event for islanders By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
John R Wood hosted a Christmas party event on Sunday, Dec. 11, from noon to 2 p.m. for islanders. All families were invited to what Realtor Mike Faulkner describes as a wonderful event with a good turnout. “We had Santa Clause and a photo booth where we were taking pictures of people with Santa Clause and emailing it to them. We had a place where they could decorate Christmas ornaments. We had Christmas stockings with glitter pens where kids could decorate and put their names on them. We had cookies, we had candy canes and drinks, and we also gave away two pretty nice bikes,” Faulkner said. See CHRISTMAS EVENT, page 9
Renovations happening at St. James City Civic Center By PAULETTE LeBLANC
pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com
aint James City Civic Association president Cindy Bickford said when she first arrived at the Civic Center after Hurricane Ian, she saw that
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insidetoday
there had been approximately 4 feet of water in the garage, and about 2 feet of water in the rest of the building. The roof had major damage and the entire lanai had been destroyed, she said. The center was needed for hurricane sup-
plies, which meant the floors needed to be mopped. Bickford said residents, Denny and Andrea Dekker along with See CIVIC CENTER, page 12
Athletes of the Week..................................8 Guest Commentary....................................4
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CINDY BICKFORD
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MIKE FAULKER
Ryleigh Welsh
Web Poll......................................................4 Worship Directory......................................6
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