FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pete Winton, Lee County Administration
              (239) 335-2777

LEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HOLIDAY CLOSINGS/SCHEDULES

FORT MYERS, Fla. (December 16, 2004) - The following holiday closings and schedules will be observed by Lee County Government (under the direction of the Board of County Commissioners):

- County offices will be closed Dec. 23 and 24 (Thur./Fri.) and Dec. 30 and 31 (Thur./Fri.)

- The Lee County Tax Collector will be open normal business hours on Dec. 23 and 30 (but not Dec. 24 and 31).

- Garbage collection in unincorporated Lee County, City of Bonita Springs and Town of Fort Myers Beach will be
   unaffected by the holidays. Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection will be on the regular collection day.

- The Lee County Library System will be closed Dec. 23-26 and Dec. 30-Jan. 2.

- Animal Services will have an officer on call for emergencies only Dec. 23-26 and Dec. 30-Jan. 2.

- LeeTran will stop operating early on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 (around 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. depending on route). There will be no service on Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) and Jan. 1 (New Year's Day). Otherwise, schedules will not be affected.

HOLIDAY GARBAGE DISPOSAL INFORMATION:

During the holiday season we tend to generate more garbage then usual. Please remember that much of it is recyclable. Aluminum pie tins, plastic and glass bottles, aluminum beverage cans, mayo and relish jars, plastic whipped topping tubs, all cardboard including gift and shoe boxes, wrapping paper (except foil wrapping) as well as sales fliers and catalogs, can be recycled. All cardboard boxes need to be flattened (very large boxes need to be broken down to 4 ft x 4 ft). Should customers find that they have more recyclable material than usual and the blue bin is already at capacity, a paper grocery bag may be used to accommodate excess material. Additional recycling bins may be requested by calling the Solid Waste Division at 338-3302.

The Solid Waste Division thanks the residents for participating in the Lee County Recycling Program and for ultimately preserving precious natural resources.

Christmas trees will be picked up on regular yard waste collection days. Residents of multi-family complexes are urged to contact their Management Company or their Association for a Christmas tree pick-up schedule. Please ensure that lights and other trimmings are removed so that the trees can safely be processed into mulch.

Keep in mind that the next Household Chemical Waste Collection is scheduled for January 22nd, 2005 in Cape Coral at the Public Works Annex off Everest Parkway. Outdated or non-working electronics such as televisions and/or computers and monitors are accepted at that collection.

For a complete list of recyclable items and material accepted at our household chemical waste and electronics recycling collections visit our website at www.leegov.com/solidwaste.

We wish all Lee County residents safe holiday season and look forward to serving you in 2005.