January - Fort Myers Beach

Volume 30, Number 1
FortMyersBeach.org
239-454-7500 phone
239-454-7910 fax
JANUARY 2015
The Catch
of the Day
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT MYERS BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
John Gavin, Chair
– Gavins Ace Hardware
David Anderson, Chair Elect
– Krusty Pete’s
Robb Capps, Vice Chair
– Premier Florida Realty
Fran Podraza, Treasurer
– CFS Roofing Services LLC
Bud Nocera, President – FMB Chamber
RETIRING 31 DECEMBER 2014
Steve DeAngelis – Nervous Nellies
Jaime Huffman – Lani Kai
Terry Luster
– Kiwanis FM Gateway to the Islands
RETIRING 31 DECEMBER 2015
Curt Brenner – Gullwing Beach Resort
Ellis Etter
– Pink Shell Resort & Marina
Barbara Farrell – iBERIABANK
Sandy Lepley – Century 21 Tripower
RETIRING 31 DECEMBER 2016
Bob Layfield – Island Sandpaper
Wanda Linatsas – Royal Scoop
Meet Kaye Molnar and Don Paight at our
January Member Luncheon
Kaye Molnar, President of Cella Molnar & Associates, Inc., established in
1996, has over 20 years of experience in planning and public involvement
for new and expanding roadway and infrastructure facilities. Cella Molnar
& Associates, Inc. is very unique in the public information industry because
of their specific in-depth technical expertise in transportation and utility
planning, design, and construction. Ms. Molnar is skilled in developing and
implementing successful, comprehensive large-scale public involvement programs as well as
working with individual property owners. She has established effective working relationships with
media personnel and repeatedly develops trusted relationships with residents, property owners,
and business owners on her projects. Ms. Molnar’s experience includes award-winning projects
such as the City of Fort Myers’ Downtown Utility Replacement and Streetscape Improvements
Project as well as their Riverfront Stormwater Basin Project. While Ms. Molnar has been working
on the Estero Boulevard Improvements Project for the past several years, she was recently selected
as the Project Public Information Officer for the construction phase.
Don Paight received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration
from the University of Miami and Master of Science degree in Geography
from Memphis State University. Mr. Paight has participated in continuing
education programs including: the National Main Street Center’s first
Downtown Revitalization Institute at Cornell University; National Trust for
Historic Preservation and Florida Trust for Historic Preservation seminars;
and Florida Redevelopment Association conferences and training programs.
Mr. Paight is the founding Executive Director of the Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency. The Agency
oversees 14 redevelopment areas as well as the city’s public parking operations.
Mr. Paight has over 30 years of experience in urban redevelopment for the cities of Miami Florida,
Memphis Tennessee, Norwich Connecticut and Fort Myers. He serves on the Board of Directors of
the Florida Redevelopment Association and the Fort Myers Conference and Convention Council.
Join us Thursday, January 8th
at 11:30am
Our Membership Luncheon will
be in the morning this month to
help everyone beat the traffic.
at Charley’s Boat House Grill,
6241 Estero Blvd, Ft. Myers Beach,
for a delicious Membership Luncheon
sponsored by the Welcome Wagon.
Join us Thursday, March 14th at
8:30am at Charley’s Boat House
Grill, 6241 Estero Blvd, Fort
Myers Beach for a delicious
Breakfast Buffet.
ROXIE
VOLUNTEERS
INFO@FMBCHAMBER.COM
www.FortMyersBeach.org
1661 Estero Blvd. Suite 8
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
p. 239-454-7500 f. 239-454-7910
Bud Nocera – President
Jane Ross – Member Service and Volunteer Coordinator
Doug McElheny – Internet & Social Media Manager
Pete Frye – Front Desk
Lisa Beckham – Accounting
Kathy Hanagan – Roxie
 Donna Bates of AAA
 Andrew Boster - Lee Tran
 Carolyn Crosby
 Judy Cultice – Kiwanis Club
 Sandy Hein
 Jo List - Island Sandpaper and Beaches and Keys Magazine
 Peg Moreland
 Elaine Moses
 Cheryl Nye
 Michelle Pyle - Truly Scrumptious
 Pam Schindler - Retired Military/Lee Co. Elections
 Jessica Titus of Fort Myers Beach Realty
 Debbie Whitehead
More Volunteers Needed!
January 1 Happy New Year!
January 8 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Monthly Membership Luncheon
@ Charley’s Boathouse, 6241 Estero Blvd.
LUNCH SPONSOR:
WELCOME WAGON
Looking for people who love the
Beach, love people and love to
have Fun. Share your knowledge
and join our volunteers in the
Roxie. Still have a few shifts
available. Call Jane Ross at
454-7500 if you can donate
some of your time.
January 14 8:00 am
Executive Committee Meeting
@ Chamber Office
January 15 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Business After Hours
@ Bayfront Bistro 4761 Estero Blvd.
Get Insurance From a Las Vegas Rock & Roll
Hall of Famer D.J. Dice Martin...LOL
January 21 8:00 am
FT. MYERS BEACH INSURANCE BROKERAGE
Board of Directors Meeting
@ Candlewood Suites, 9740 Commerce Center Court
Immediate Coverage Available!
“We Shop and Quote for You!”
• 400 Top Rated Insurance Companies
• Writing the Entire State of Florida.
Join a committee!! Call Jane Ross 454-7500.
Richard D. Karger
Agency Principal
Office: 239 233-8264 Cell: 239 321-4788
Fax: 239 236-0336 Richard@fmbib.com
WE CAN
DO IT ALL BY FAX,
PHONE OR EMAIL
FREE
QUOTES
WE RETURN
PHONE CALLS!
1661 Estero Blvd. Suite 16,
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
HOME - FLOOD - AUTO - BOAT - COMMERCIAL - CYCLE
- HEALTH - LIFE - MOBILE HOMES
2
JANUARY 2015
FORTMYERSBEACH.ORG
Print Shop Ink
Winners of the Christmas Boat Parade were:
Smalll Power #10 Capt. Brent Samuels
Large Power #7 Capt. Lori MacMillan
Business Sponsored #24 Capt. Brian Josephson
Most Spirited Crew #16 Capt. Judy Maara
Peoples Choice #24 Capt. Brian Josephson
Gary Campbell, owner
Gary began his career not in the printing business, but as bartender
and restaurant manager like so many others. He moved from California
to work at the Flamingo Hilton in Laughlin, Nevada, then on to manage
the restaurant at the Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert,
California. After working for Gene Autry at his hotel in Palm Springs,
Gary began working in a small print shop. He studied and learned the
printing trade for 13 years until 2007 when he discovered Fort Myers
Beach. Gary submitted his resume to JT Webb, and the rest is history.
He was hired! Gary purchased the Print Shop Ink October 29, 2014. It
has been an easy transition as he has worked in the shop for the past
seven years.
Lead boat leading the
parade under the Matanzas
Bridge.
"The Island community has been very supportive. Fort Myers Beach is
a great family to be part of. We hope to inject a positive spin into this
shop and remain a part of the Fort Myers Beach family," says Gary. One
of the first things Gary did as new owner was hire Tracy Fox.
Tracy Fox!
Tracy is well known to those on Fort Myers Beach as she has been
here for over 20 years and once worked at Matanzas on the Bay where
she met the love of her life and most recently worked as a medical
assistant next door to the Print Shop Ink. Tracy is the Mother of five
grown children and loves her new job. She invites everyone to bring all
their printing needs to her and Gary at PRINT SHOP INK., Located in Key
Estero Shops 1661 Estero Blvd. Suite 3.
Parade Chairman Robb Capps is flanked by Michelle Pyle (on left)
of Truly Scrumptious (food sponsor for the lead boat), and Jane Ross
(on right), of Member Services with the Fort Myers Beach Chamber
of Commerce.
Boat Parade Photos by Katrina Salokar of Paradise Advertising
FORTMYERSBEACH.ORG
JANUARY 2015
3
By Bud Nocera
It Is NOT a Road Rebuilding Project!
If your business is in the first mile of the upcoming Estero Blvd construction
project, or if you drive on Estero Blvd from Crescent Street to Lover’s Lane,
you need to have a firm understanding about what is about to happen after
Easter. This is not a road resurfacing project. It is the replacement of all
above and below ground utilities including, but not limited to:
• Replacement and improvement of an underground stormwater utility;
• Replacement of all potable water and sanitary sewer lines;
• Addition of natural gas line; and
•Replacement and moving above ground power poles for the island’s
electric and cable communication infrastructure.
After all that is done, THEN curbs and sidewalks will be installed and the
roadway will be resurfaced.
The point is, this project, although much needed, is going to be VERY invasive.
It is going to be an enormous challenge to keep businesses in the construction
zone healthy. Think VERY deep and wide ditches in a rolling construction
project down Estero. Think very large backhoes, dump trucks, concrete culverts
and pipes being installed. Think about concrete road safety barriers, piles of
dirt (mud during the rainy season) along the right of way that will limit access
to your business, and will limit or prohibit existing street parking.
Have News?
4
JANUARY 2015
If you own one of these businesses, you must
start planning now for what begins after
Easter. This includes some careful financial planning, business planning
and communication with your customers and employees. You must know
what will happen and when, regarding the construction schedule, and how
it will affect you.
Example: at some point your water service will be disconnected to tie into the
new water line. When that happens you will be put on a “boil water notice”
for three days. If you are a restaurant how will you get safe, clean ice for
drinks? Potable water for cooking and drinking? You will probably need to go
to disposable plates and utensils and perhaps offer a limited menu during
that time. You will need a plan. And some help.
By early January the Chamber will have an Estero Blvd. Survival Guide, and we
will deliver it to every business from Crescent Street to Red Coconut. It will provide
project contacts, like Kaye Molnar of Cella, Molnar and Associates. Kay will be
the central dispenser of information for the county and town to business and
property owners and the public. Her website will be kept up-to-date daily with
information, and she will be accessible to you by phone. Kaye is also our January
luncheon speaker. I urge you to come hear her thoughts on how to get through
the project. You need to get to know her. The Survival Guide will also provide key
contacts for the Town of Fort Myers Beach and Lee County Governments, as well
as local utility companies, local fire and police non-emergency numbers.
It will provide information on FREE business consulting and financial planning
by Duane Holversten of the Small Business Development Corporation, hosted
by Florida Gulf Coast University Lutgert College of Business. It will provide
information on the Estero construction information website, which will be
updated with information regarding construction schedules, pedestrian
access maps and water shut-off schedules.
Also at our January 8 meeting will be Don Paight and Leigh Scrabis from the
Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency to give us insights from their experiences
in the reconstruction of downtown Fort Myers.
Know that your town government, county government, Kaye Molnar and this
Chamber will do everything possible to provide information and assistance
during construction. For example, we are now looking for a way to stage trucks
with bagged ice and 5 gallon carboys of bottled water and deliver them to
restaurants and hotels on demand at cost during water boil notices. We are
looking at ways to keep visitors flowing, including to construction areas.
A recent media release from Cella Molnar stated:
“Visit the project website at www.reFRESHFMBeach.com and click on Estero
Boulevard for the latest project information. The website will provide information
about construction-related activities once work begins. If you have further
questions about the project, please contact Lee County’s Public Information
Officer for this project, Kaye Molnar, Cella Molnar & Associates, Inc. at 239-3371071, (toll-free) 877-496-1076 or via email to kmolnar@cella.cc.”
There is a lot to do. But nothing works without well-informed and wellprepared business and property owners working in cooperation with county
and town governments. This isn’t going to be a quick or painless process.
Start planning NOW. Know that this, too, shall pass. When it does, the new,
improved Estero Blvd. will be worth it.
Anything New and Noteworthy going on in your office? New employee? New Rep? Move?
Please email jane@fmbchamber.com or call us at 239-454-7500 so that we can make note and update our file.
FORTMYERSBEACH.ORG
Meet Sandra Justice Lepley
Fran Podraza – CFS Roofing Services
(CHAIR)
Sandy Lepley, MBA, Ed.D., Broker-Associate, is a third generation
Fort Myers area resident. Her grandparents were early pioneers
Debra Anderson – Pink Shell Resort and
(1920). Sandy was born at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where her parents
Marina
were stationed while her father served in the Navy. Sandy's father,
Robb Capps – Premier Florida Realty
Mac Justice, a Fort Myers native (1928), later became a very well
Donna Fagan – SPD Solutions
known blue grass banjo musician/recording artist while enjoying a
Wayne Gibson – R & W Gibson Promotional
career spanning NY to Washington DC as an executive with IBM. The
Products
family gathered at Fort Myers Beach many times over the years, and
Sandy has lived on the island full time since 1999.
Carrie Grunewald – Salty Sam's Marina
Family members owned/operated King Symonds Realty, Inc., in Fort Myers, a commercial and residential
Jaime Huffman – Lani Kai Beach Resort
real estate development and sales firm from 1964 - 2003. Sandy joined their business in 1998 after
Darrell Kendzior – Traction Plus
careers in guidance counseling, marketing management/consulting, and college administration. In
Denice Knudsen – Premier Florida Realty
2003 Sandy joined the Century 21 office which is now the South office of the dynamic Century 21 TriSandy Lepley – Century 21 Tripower
Power Realty, Inc on Fort Myers Beach. Dr. Lepley resides at the beach with her husband, Dennis.
Wanda Linatsas – Royal Scoop Ice Cream
Recognized two years in a row as a "5 STAR REALTOR" by Gulfshore Life Magazine, Sandy offers
excellent customer service. She is a member of the Realtor Assn. of Greater Fort Myers and the Beaches,
Jane Ross
and the Commercial and Investment Professionals of SW Fla. She is active with the Fort Myers Beach
Leslie McElheny
Chamber of Commerce, on the Board and Ambassador Committee. Sandy is also a member of the FMB
and
R.J. Snider – Paradise
SandyAnLepley,
MBA,
is aAdvertising
third generation
Fo
Kiwanis Club, and the Church of the Ascension Council of Catholic Women.
animal lover,
she Ed.D.,
helps Broker-Associate,
Designwas born at Pearl Ha
grandparents were early pioneers (1920). Sandy
with the Find a Home Give A Home Pet Rescue.
stationed
while her
in the
Navy.
Sandy'sInnfather,
Charles
Stallings
– Hampton
& SuitesMac Jus
Sandy and Dennis have a combined family of four grown sons and
two grandchildren.
Theyfather
enjoy served
became
a
very
well
known
blue
grass
banjo
musician/recording
artist
walking the beach, fishing, and dancing to doo wop music. Sandy plays the keyboard as often as
Eric Tibbs – Edward Jones & Co.
Washington
DC
as
an
executive
with
IBM.
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family
gathered
at
For
possible, and loves to cook! They enjoy socializing with their many real estate customers and island
years, and Sandy has lived on the island full time since 1999.
folks who are now good friends.
Sandra Justice L
Family members owned/operated King Symonds Realty, Inc., in Fort
real estate development and sales firm from 1964 - 2003. Sandy joine
guidance counseling, marketing management/consulting, and college
the Century 21 office which is now the South office of the dynamic Cen
Myers Beach. Dr. Lepley resides at the beach with her husband, Denn
Recognized two years in a row as a "5 STAR REALTOR" by Gulfshore
customer service. She is a member of the Realtor Assn. of Greater For
Commercial and Investment Professionals of SW Fla. She is active wit
Commerce , on the Board and Ambassador Committee. Sandy is also
and the Church of the Ascension Council of Catholic Women. An anim
Home Give A Home Pet Rescue.
Ms Tammy C Ragone
Real Estate Sales
Sandy and Dennis
have a combined
family
fouringrown sons and two
Representing
Buyers and
Sellersofalike
the beach,Fort
fishing,
and
dancing
to
doo
wop
music.
Sandy plays the key
Myers, the Islands, and all of Southwest Florida!
cook! They enjoy socializing with their many real estate customers an
friends.
Cell: (239) 826-4868
Business: (941) 505-2950
Direct: (941) 777-3199
tammyragone@aol.com
Each EXIT REALTY Office is Independently Owned and Operated
FORTMYERSBEACH.ORG
JANUARY 2015
5
November Membership Luncheon
Doctor Heather Barron from CROW
addressed the Members at the November
Membership lunch held at Charley's
Boathouse.
New Members receiving their Membership Plaques from Chairman of the Board John Gavin
on left Roland Weinmann and Beverley Milligan of Myerside LLC with Chamber President
Bud Nocera.
Sand Sculpting
Some of the volunteers who gave up their Thanksgiving to help
with Sandsculpting 2014.
Edison Ford House
Once again the Fort Myers Beach Chamber was asked to
decorate a tree at the Edison Ford Winter Estates.
Shown left to right decorating the porch tree is Ambassador and Board
Member Robb Capps and Wanda Linstsas with Ambassadors Deb
Anderson and RJ Snider. Photo by Donna Fagan
Ambassador Donna Fagan stands in front of the finished tree.
6
JANUARY 2015
FORTMYERSBEACH.ORG
Business After Hours
The Chamber Business After Hours held their
Business After Hours on November 20 at the
Outrigger Beach Resort. Shown left to right are
our hostess's Dee Stevens and Paula Poe.
Chairman of the Board John Gavin introduced his new manager Doug Hauser and his wife
to the Chamber.
Coffee Connection
Support Hospitality Heroes
Award Program
The Hospitality Heroes Award Program needs your support. We are
needing $50.00 per month for 5 months from member sponsors to
make this program happen again in 2015. Single or monthly billing
is available.
The rules for Hospitality Heroes are as follows:
Thursday December 4 Island Jewell hosted the Chamber Coffee
Connection. Shown L to R is Hostess Maria Carlini with Pat Smith.
Only Chamber member employees qualify for the awards, and any
member qualifies to submit nominations. Businesses are not limited
to lodging, food and drink. Management can nominate one employee
per month and a business can only have one winner. Please send your
nominations via email to Heroes@fmbchamber.com with a few words
as to why this employee deserves the nomination. Winners will be
drawn randomly at the monthly Chamber luncheons.
Winners will be featured in the Island Sand Paper and the FMB Chamber
Monthly Newsletter. Sponsors will be recognized in all press releases
to media.
For more information please call us at the office 454-7500
Joining the fun is L to R Ambassador Donna Fagan of SPD Solutions,
Eryka Aptaker of East Commece Solutions Inc. Ambassador and
Board Member Wanda Linatsas or Royal Scoop, Chair Elect David
Anderson of Krusty Pete's and Jo Kelly of Isle of Art.
FORTMYERSBEACH.ORG
JANUARY 2015
7
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GPS Coordinates: 26”27’23.41” N, 81”57’15.18” W
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