Pine Island Local News for the Southwest Florida Vacation Paradise

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Lee County Suggests "Nuclear" Option for Pine Island

Open letter to the Cape Coral City Council
Phil Buchanan, Pine Island

     On 9 March, the Cape Coral City Council voted 8 to 0 to begin discussions with Lee County to annex parts of Greater Pine Island, to particularly include Matlacha. As Councilman Tim Day said, we “could build some impressive developments out there.” (They also voted to pursue annexation north to Charlotte County, minus state owned land which does not pay taxes, and east to Route 41.)
     The reason why Cape Coral would like to annex surrounding areas requires some background information. Cape Coral was founded as a land scam—one of the largest in world history. The founders (less than 50 years ago) took a largely pristine mostly wetland Florida habitat and created almost overnight the third largest city in Florida. The city they created by dredge and fill was composed almost entirely of 100’s of thousands of very small residential lots which they aggressively sold to people from all over the world. They made a lot of money, but they did not plan for industrial or generally even commercial areas—nothing that supplies jobs. Therefore, the city they created depended solely on even more residential growth as the basis for its economy, since it was only new growth that paid to support city services to the previously built homes. When the growth died, the pyramid scheme collapsed, and Cape Coral is now having problems raising enough money to provide
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Elk's Award Pat Burman "Citizen of the Year"

On March 13th the Greater Pine Island Elks lodge recognized several of its members and named its choice for citizen of the year. Presenting the honor was Liz Duchane, acting exalted ruler of the Elks. “Its with great pleasure that I introduce Patricia L. Burman known to most Pine Islanders as (Pat) as our choice

for citizen of the year for 2009. Pat has lived and worked on Pine Island for more than 36 years and has served her community in many capacities,” said Duchane. “Over the years she has volunteered for the Matlacha Hookers, the Greater Pine Island Little League, working most of the 15 years in the concessions stand serving hot dogs. Pine Island Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as a scout leader and before Hurricane Charley she volunteered preparing boxes for the SHARE program. She is still an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island. Chairing events such as the Fall Festal for the kids of Pine Island, chairing Taste of Pine Island, co-chairing Waterfront Workforce Day and helping at the Junior Olympic for the youth of Pine Island.
In addition, Burman was a member and sat on the Board of Directors for the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce for 17 years, she was chairperson for MangoMania for 7 years, co-chairing one year with the late Al Mills.
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Group Photo.
Wayne Bartelt, acting Exalted Ruler Liz Duchane, Sue Trimble, Patrica Burman, Jode Shaw and Carol Neilson.

Taste 2009 Huge Success

Sunday January 25th the park started filling up at 6:00 AM. Around 8:00 AM the smells started filling the air, pulled pork, pizza, seasoned jumbo shrimp, fish, clams, BBQ chicken, French Fries and so much more.
The Arts & Craft vendors began setting up their spots around 7:00 AM. Pine Island jams and jellies, Native American Jewelry, Paintings, Cut Glass, Hand Painted Furniture, Hand Painted Coconuts and information, about our beautiful Island, financial assistance, real estate information, there was something

for everyone who attended.
      Taste09 Chairman, Pat Burman said “Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island pride themselves on holding an event for the entire family”. The entire second field was setup for the kids, with activities like bounce houses, laser tag, train rides and the ever-famous Rock-Climbing for kids of all ages.
     The gates opened to the visitors at 11:00, Pat said, “We were all ready and hoping for a busy day. The sun was shining and it was another beautiful day on Pine Island. All of the Kiwanis workers were at their post and ready. The economy being what it is, there was no telling if it could be successful. Pine Island Trio started their first set. Music playing, food cooking, and vendors ready to show their wears, the people started coming and it didn’t let up until 5:00 PM that night.” With over 70 plus vendors of all kinds, twice as many as last year and as nearly could be estimated the crowd was almost double too.
     After Pine Island Trio, the sound crew set up for Skeeterland Bluegrass Band, this was the first year Skeeterland performed at Taste of Pine Island and they were a crowd pleaser. Banjo, fiddle, standup bass, mandolin and guitar all lined up on stage and ready to perform to the crowed. The visitors sat under the large
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Waterfront Workforce Day Huge Success.

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