Randell Research Holds Grand Opening 
(Continued from pg 5)

-      The staff at the RRC is prepared to assist with questions and transportation to those needing it. In the photo above the large mound is seen in the background on which a small rest building used to stand and is scheduled for replacement.


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Land Use Plan

-Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce President Sally Tapager thanked the county and Staff for the disaster clean-up and spoke in favor of adopting the Land Use amendment to the Lee Plan.
-Conservancy of Southwest Florida Policy Director Gary Davis spoke in favor of the plan amendment.
-Palms Away, Inc. Owner Geoffrey “Bucky” Smith spoke in opposition of the plan amendment; and stated that the decreased value will decrease the loans his business would receive, since loans are based on property value.
-Bokeelia Resident Dave Lukasek spoke in favor of the plan amendment.
-Bokeelia Resident Pat Hodgin spoke in favor of the plan amendment.
-Bokeelia Resident Bill Mantis spoke in opposition of the plan amendment; questioned the purpose of the county not obtaining a more objective advisor than Hanson Real Estate Advisors; and stated that the 810 and 910 rules made the Bert Harris Act irrelevant.
-Bokeelia Resident Anna Stober spoke in favor of the plan amendment; and conveyed the success of the committee in creating the amendment.
-Responsible Growth Management Coalition and Greater Pine Island Civic Association
-Representative Thomas W. Reese spoke in favor of the plan amendment; debunked the applicability of the Bert Harris Act; and cited City National Bank v. Dade County.
-St. James City Resident Gene Tolman spoke in favor of the plan amendment; and commended the committee for a well crafted plan amendment.
-Pine Island Consultant Bill Spikowski spoke in favor of the plan amendment; and urged the Board to reject Options 2 and 3.
-Farm Bureau President Kent Kelley spoke in opposition of the plan amendment.
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