Philanthropist Steps Up to the Plate

Loud murmurs, then shouts erupted from Little League baseball supporters in the gallery Tuesday night, February 19, as city manager Mike McNees addressed city council about negotiations with Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) over the fate of Tyler Beck Memorial Ballpark at Tommie Barfield Elementary. The field has been a hot topic since a group of Gulf Coast Little League supporters besieged the February 3 city council meeting demanding the city keep the baseball field in operation rather than allow it to be converted to green space by the county. City Council voted unanimously to end interlocal agreements between the City, CCPS, and Marco Island Academy last September. 

Acting chairman Erik Brechnitz quickly got things settled down by allowing local businessman Joe Oliverio to address council. 

“You get four minutes,” Brechnitz told Oliverio. “All I need is two minutes,” Oliverio shot back. "I'm making a commitment today based on someone that just walked up to me and said, ‘Whatever it takes to do it. Six figures. No problem. I guarantee you at this meeting that anything over and above $200,000 will be paid for.' He's the biggest donor on this island. He's helped everybody every time.” 

The gallery, filled with baseball field supporters and Vietnam veterans,  reacted with raucous cheering to philanthropist Rene Champagne’s generous offer to help fund work on the beleaguered baseball field.  

"My position in offering financial support,” Champagne said after the meeting, "is that when I was a kid, I played outdoors all the time. Baseball, basketball, football. For these kids on this island to not have that opportunity would be shameful. So I'm willing to support the arrangement of making that ball field playable with lights and a good condition so kids can be outside enjoying themselves. It seems to me we as a city, as a county, are obligated to help these kids get off of computers for an hour or two and be outdoors where we all grew up.” 

McNees, clearly frustrated with the proceedings, vented to city council.  

"If I seem frustrated,” McNees said, "it's because I'm incredibly frustrated. Everybody's looking to me to make this deal as if I don't want to. That's not the case. Please come see me. Let's sort it out and let's figure it out, okay?” 

Council member Darrin Palumbo suggested McNees ask CCPS to extend their March 3 deadline for the city to submit plans for a new interlocal agreement. His fellow council members agreed so McNees will go back to CCPS to negotiate a deal. 

"I believe it's going to happen in a quick manner,” Palumbo said. "I have faith in our city manager. The tools he's now been given will help make this happen."