Money Talks

You could have knocked me over with a feather when I watched incredulously the goings-on for the latest issue on the proposed Isles of Capri development. They are called “Isles” of Capri because there are four small islands; each has their own piece of a separate island, but this is home to people who have saved and worked hard to buy a sweet little home in such a beautiful spot on an island far away from civilization, yet close enough to become a part of a community! THEN in walks Mr. Developer Money Pockets, and he is salivating over what money he can make, never looking at anything but MONEY! When presented to the Planning Commission, they wisely studied it, and asked questions, read the information thoroughly, and all but one Planning Commissioner voted against the project. So secretly, the developer’s lawyers meet with the County Commissioners to ask what will it take to get their vote, they form a plan (and all plans can change once they are approved, as you well know by now), and they never discuss their NEW plan with the people of the Isles of Capri who it affects! They just presented it out of the clear blue, and it PASSES 5-0. The people it affects were never presented with the new plan, nor were they even aware that a plan might be forming! Nothing more underhanded than that. It made me sick to see these people who have lived there for many years and couldn’t even protect the land they live on and they paid for! You know, I understand (but don’t necessarily agree with) only one county commissioner, and that is Commissioner Bill McDaniel, because he declared before he was elected to office, “I’m a developer guy! I make my living off development. I never met a development I didn’t like! I will always vote for development.” Now maybe none of you were there when he said that, but I WAS, and I heard it loud and clear! But everyone else tells their constituents I’m “working for you!” But as residents watched in disgust, they saw for themselves who they were really working for.  I’m sure people will appreciate the commissioners thinking again to make sure something more could have been done! These constituents are depending on THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS to protect them and protect their property and their water, etc. The developers don’t need protection, but they CAN and should work with the community for a better outcome for all. 

* The East Naples Civic and Commerce Association held their Annual Banquet recently, and it was a well-attended and terrific event. The music by Nevada Smith was perfect dinner music, light and enjoyable, and didn’t drown everyone out, as happens at times. The enjoyable event was held at The Lely Players Club, where, as you’ll read elsewhere in this paper, the winners for Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year and the Diamond Award were announced. One person was named as having presented the Santa Run EVERY YEAR FOR 25 YEARS to the children in East Naples, and that was Ted Beisler. He doesn’t even live in East Naples anymore, but he’s always stayed close to us and to those children! He brings food for the volunteers afterward as well. What a nice gesture! I also want to thank Jacob Winge, my go-to-man, for always rolling up his sleeves and being a fountain of information for all my questions. There were so many local businesses who donated gifts and prizes to give as awards at the event.

* Have you noticed I’ve mentioned East Naples often in this column? I am proud to live there for 49 years! I know some want to call it South Naples, but when you look at a map, and directional signals, there IS NO South Naples. Way back then one of the biggest hurricanes hit us in 1960 and wiped out The City of Naples (temporarily). This area needed a new County Seat, so the governor sent out requests for a new area to be named, and it was voted that the New County Seat, forever and ever, will be East Naples. Of course back in those days, no one had ever heard of South Naples. So that’s why I get prickly when people say their business is in South Naples. There IS NO south Naples. Look it up! Now I must tell you that East Naples is looking better all the time, and it didn’t come easy; we all worked HARD to improve this area, and you can see the fruit of our labors. Don’t let them take it away from us. We worked hard to look as good as we do now. EAST NAPLES IS THE COUNTY SEAT, and we’re proud of it! No one gave us anything! We worked HARD for this designation, we have it, now let’s not lose it. Every time someone says to me their business is in South Naples, I ask where is that? Can you show me on a map? We’ve come a long way, baby! And we’re still climbing.

* The last event I’d like to touch on was the Fashion Show at the Elks Lodge on U. S. 41E. It was so much fun. The Stars of the Show were the dancing models! The men in the audience were hooting and hollering. The ladies really strutted their stuff to the music! Everyone had a tremendous time! And the Elk Men were the “cooks” who prepared a beautiful salad!