Spring 2012 - Vanderbilt Beach Residents Association

The
The Vanderbilt
Beach Residents
Association
P.O. Box 771330
Naples, FL 34107-1330
Email:
vanderbiltbeach54@
yahoo.com
Phone:
A Publication of
View
Spring 2012
239-597-0361
Website
www.vbra.org
Important
Phone Numbers:
• Emergency .........911
Non-emergency:
• Sheriff’s Office
................239-774-4434
• Fire Dept.
..................239-213-4844
• Collier County Code
Enforcement ..239-252-2400
• Poison Control
.................1-800-222-1222
• FPL ...............1-800-468-8243
• Collier County Water Dept
.................(239) 252-6245
• Collier County Waste Dept
..................(239) 591-0186
• CenturyLink
.................1-877-290-5458
• Comcast Cable (Collier)
.................(239) 793-3577
An Historical View of
Vanderbilt Beach
Exactly what comprises the area
referred to as Vanderbilt Beach and
how did we come to be called Vanderbilt Beach?
Vanderbilt Beach is the common
designation for the area bounded
by the Cocohatchee River on the
north, Vanderbilt Beach Road on
the south, Vanderbilt Drive on the
east and the Gulf of Mexico on the
west.
J.B. Conners, the land development pioneer of Vanderbilt Beach,
was a road builder from Tampa
who developed the area. When
In This Issue:
he began his development, the
An Historical View of
only inhabitants were occasional
Vanderbilt Beach .............. 1 occupants of a fish camp and a
Sign marking Conners Park, a pedestrian park on the corner of
Member Spotlight:
few farmers. It is reported that
Vanderbilt Drive and Bluebill Avenue.
Kathy Robbins ................... 2
he chose the name “Vanderbilt
Avenue and Vanderbilt Beach Road and sevBeach” as a marketing ploy to create an
Obit:
eral access paths along Gulf Shore Drive. A
Alvin Doyle “Bud” Martin, Jr. ..... 2
impression of wealth and prestige. Mr.
pedestrian park, Conners Park, on the corner
Connors began the platting process in
Vanderbilt Beach and Dunes
of Vanderbilt Drive and Bluebill Avenue was
1953 and completed it in 1959. He
Preservation Project ................. 2
begun in 2000 on land donated to the county
envisioned a deed-restricted commuLetter from
by J.B. Conners. It offers walkers and bikers
nity with single and multiple family
Kathleen van Bergen................... 3
respite in a lovely environment.
units, parks and open areas with
VBRA Annual
While our area is being continually altered
easy water access.
Membership Meeting ................... 3
through various development activities, every
Today the Vanderbilt commueffort is being made by the Vanderbilt Beach
Vanderbilt Drive
nity is fortunate to have public
Greenway Project .......................... 3
Residents Association to maintain the quiet
beaches at the ends of Bluebill
residential character that we all enjoy.
The Burial
of the Power Lines.......................... 4
Spring 2012
The
View
Page 2
Member
Spotlight
Kathy Robbins
Kathy Robbins is originally from St. Louis, but in 1995 she
moved to Naples from the Milwaukee area. Five years later,
in the year 2000, she voted for the first time as a Florida resident, and never had a hanging chad.
Kathy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and spent 25
years specializing in Information Technology Management.
She has devoted the last 20 years to tax preparation. Obviously, she is extremely busy during this time of year.
Kathy is a widow who enjoys boating and music. In her
spare time she takes part in choir activities and sings at various assisted living facilities. She is also active in various volunteer organizations.
Kathy has served on her condominium Board of Directors
in Naples since 2002. Previous to that, she served on her
condominium Board of Directors up north.
She is currently secretary of the VBRA Board of Directors
and is the liaison for VBRA to the North Naples Community
Alliance which is diligently working to preserve the Vanderbilt
Beach and Dune area at the foot of Vanderbilt Rd. Kathy is
also a representative on the newly-formed Collier Community
Alliance which was formed to provide a voice on policy matters for the residents of Collier County.
We all owe this very busy citizen a vote of thanks for all that
she does to protect and improve our neighborhood.
Sadly Missed
Alvin Doyle “Bud” Martin, Jr.
On December 9, 20ll, we lost one of our esteemed citizens. Alvin Doyle Martin, Jr., better known as "Bud" to
his many friends and family, passed away after a tragic
biking accident.
Bud was always interested in local affairs and served on
the Board of Directors of Vanderbilt Beach and Bay and
currently was a very active member of the Vanderbilt
MSTU. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him.
Vanderbilt Beach and
Dunes Preservation
Project
VBRA has always been involved in protecting the dunes and
sea grasses on our beaches, and one of the recently proposed projects, which includes a massive observation deck
and concession stand on Vanderbilt Beach, is of great concern to its members.
A project of this size constructed on the smallest and most
populated beach in this area is of great concern. The beach
space and sea grasses that we will lose to a project such as
the one proposed will never be recovered. VBRA and members of the Vanderbilt Beach and Dunes Preservation Project
are working diligently to preserve this very special beach for
all beach goers. We will keep you informed as this project
progresses.
Let’s remember to support our
local VBRA business members
* Beach Store
* Buzz’s Lighthouse Restaurant
* Buzz’s Lighthouse Motel
* Cabana Dans
* LaPaya Beach and Golf Resort
* Mari Vesci Realtors
* Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
* Premium Homes of SW Florida, Inc.
* Quinn Boards
* South Bay Realty
* South Bay Marina
* The Spot
* The Turtle Club
Spring 2012
The
View
Page 3
Vanderbilt Drive
Greenway Project
A meeting was held by Collier
County
representatives
on Tuesday January 26 at St.
John's Catholic Church to inform
the public of the plans for the
upcoming Vanderbilt Drive Greenway Project.
The design includes expanding
the pedestrian roadside path
along the western side of Vanderbilt Drive to a four mile long
asphalt track approximately eight
feet wide which could be used by
walkers and bikers alike. This
path would begin at 111th and
run north to Bonita Beach Road.
Other possibilities include: rest
stops, covered shelters, benches, bike racks, trash receptacles
and solar lighting. Construction
on this project is projected to begin the spring of 2013.
VBRA Annual
Membership
Meeting
On
January
25,
approximately 100 citizens attended
VBRA's annual
membership
meeting which
was held at St.
John's Catholic
Church. At the
meeting members were updated on all projects
the VBRA is currently involved in. Among the
presentations of the evening was one given by
Susan Snyder regarding the Dunes Docks. Rollin Rhea also spoke on the Vanderbilt Concession/Observation Deck issue.
In addition to answering questions by attendees
regarding current business issues, President
David Galloway handed out approximately 40
door prizes donated by our local businesses.
Dear Friends,
As your North Naples
neighbor here at the
Phil, I am pleased to
introduce myself to
the membership of
the Vanderbilt Beach
Residents Association.
I know that many
of you are already
regular patrons of
the Phil. I would like
to invite those of you
who haven't yet discovered us to stop by
and visit our cultural
complex.
Kathleen van Bergen
Photo courtesy of Nathan Hill
tion
In the weeks ahead, you will find children's programs, arts educa
can
You
Phil.
the
at
classes, art lectures and an array of other events
l.org.
learn more by visiting us online at ThePhi
of the
This 2011-12 season is a special one for us--the 30th anniversary
acelebr
-long
season
our
of
part
a
As
stra.
Orche
Naples Philharmonic
behours
tion, we are offering RUSH tickets to all orchestra events. Two
Office on
fore each concert, 50 RUSH tickets will be sold at the Phil Box
last).
tickets
(while
ticket
a first-come, first-served basis--for just $15 per
s to our
This is just one of the ways that we are introducing new patron
ed
engag
an
be
to
strives
Phil
The
ex.
compl
arts
orchestra--and to our
by
d
enjoye
are
that
ms
progra
t
presen
to
and
unity
part of the comm
d to meeteveryone. So please stop by and visit us soon. I look forwar
ing you!
Kathleen van Bergen
CEO and President
Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Vanderbilt Beach
Residents Assn.
P.O. Box 771330
Naples, FL 34107-1330
Update: Delays, delays, delays...
In order to satisfy the Collier County Clerk’s question as to whether the MSTU can prepay FPL for the
burial of the power lines, a compromise was agreed
upon by transferring the monies into an escrow account which will be monitored throughout the project.
However, the Clerk is also insisting that an engineer
be on-site (for an additional project cost of $50,000).
Hopefully, Phase I (Gulfshore Drive) will be started
within the next few months. Stay tuned for the continuing saga of the “Burial of the Power Lines.”
Vanderbilt Beach Residents
Association Officers & Board:
President: Vice-President: Treasurer: Secretary: Directors: David Galloway
Joe Connolly
Joe Bianco
Kathy Robbins
Jackie Bammel
Dave Jeskie
Lew Schmidt
Bill Sjostrom
Susan Snyder
Bob Vezza
Board members can
be reached at: www.vbra.org
Lesley Garlock
South Bay Realty
9060 Gulf Shore Drive
Naples, FL 34108
The Burial of
the Power Lines
V
BRA is looking for new board
members. Get involved and have
a say about what is happening in
your neighborhood.
 This newsletter is a publication of
VBRA and is intended for the use of
its membership. Submit comments
and articles to Jackie Bammel at:
jwbammel@embarqmail.com
P.O. Box 771330
Naples, FL 34107-1330
Email: vanderbiltbeach54@yahoo.com
Phone: 239-597-0361
C
hanged your address? Let us
know by emailing to:
vanderbiltbeach54@yahoo.com
Printing by Bonita Print Shop • (239) 992-8522
Visit Us Online:
www.vbra.org