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Home > Government > B.O.C.C. > District 4 Blog
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3/12/2010|
Celebrating the Life of Commissioner Bob Janes
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lee County Administration, (239) 533-2221
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF COMMISSIONER BOB JANES
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 12, 2010) – Lee County will host a public ceremony celebrating the life of Commissioner Bob Janes on March 22 at 4 p.m., Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers.
The public is invited to attend, with doors opening about 3:30 p.m.
Below is information about Commissioner Janes’ career and legacy.
Lee County honors the lifelong public service of Bob Janes
The Lee County, Florida community is mourning the loss, but celebrating the life and accomplishments of Lee County Commissioner, former Sanibel Mayor and former National Association of Counties and Florida Association of Counties board member Robert P. (Bob) Janes, who died in his home March 10. Janes was a lifelong public servant and champion for the local community.
As a county commissioner, Janes represented the residents of District 1, which includes Cape Coral, Captiva, Upper Captiva, Sanibel, Matlacha, Pine Island, St. James City, Bokeelia and Boca Grande; however, he served the entire community and his impact will be felt county-wide for years to come.
As the son of educators, Janes’ parents taught him about the necessity of public service and the importance of volunteering. He took that lesson seriously and began his career early in life in the United States Army, retiring as a colonel.
He was first elected into public service in the 1960s as a Minneapolis city alderman and then as a Hennepin County commissioner, where he served five years as board chairman. From Minnesota, he moved to Washington, D.C. and served as the deputy director of the White House Intergovernmental Affairs, where he worked as liaison between the White House and state governments, counties and cities. Among other issues, he tackled key health care policies. In 1975, he and his family moved to Sanibel.
Janes was a successful businessman in the local community, including a banker and owner of a real estate school, hotel and restaurant. He stayed true to his parents’ example and became a dedicated community volunteer and public servant for Lee County. He served as a member of the Sanibel Planning Commission, where he was instrumental in passing stringent building codes on the island to protect our environment.
Janes was elected to the Sanibel City Council and then was elected mayor. In 2000, he was elected to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners and re-elected in 2004 and 2008. As a member of the Lee County Commission, he focused on his lifelong passion of human services and health care issues, serving as the board’s advocate and liaison for mental health and substance abuse issues at local, state and national levels. He was instrumental is the creation of Lee County’s mental health triage center and low demand shelter. He also served as liaison between the board and the Florida Legislature, Public Safety Coordinating Council, Human Services Council, Babcock Ranch, Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Last June, the 5,620 acres of the Babcock Ranch that lie in north Lee County was renamed the Bob Janes Preserve in honor of the active and dedicated role Janes played in negotiating the public purchase and subsequent preservation of this important piece of the local environment.
A memorial fund to collect donations for the Bob Janes Preserve has been established through the Conservation 20/20 Program. Donations may be sent in care of Cathy Olson, Conservation 20/20 Program, 3410 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers FL 33916. Checks should be made out to “Lee County Board of County Commissioners,” and “Bob Janes Memorial Fund” should be written in the memo.
Janes is survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Lynda Janes, and their three daughters, Susie (Janes) and Colin Flinn, Sandy and Mary. |
Prairie Pines Preserve - Large Prescribed Burn
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Large Prescribed Burn Planned at Prairie Pines Preserve
Lee County Conservation 20/20 staff, in conjunction with Florida Division of Forestry (DOF) and local Fire Departments will be conducting a prescribed burn at Prairie Pines Preserve (North Fort Myers). Due to the proximity of I-75 and US 41 we will be conducting aerial ignition, a practice often used on prescribed burns to minimize smoke and provide an “eye in the sky” view of the fire. Since we require north or northeast winds we are unable to provide an exact date of burning, but are hoping to burn early next week.
Drivers along I-75 may notice the Division of Forestry helicopter flying over the Preserve and notice many emergency vehicles associated with the burn. Information is being sent by the Information Officer with DOF to media ahead of the burn to pre-empt any assumptions of it being a wildfire or emergency situation. Local fire departments have visited residences bordering the preserve and neighbors are alerted. DOF will finish visiting adjacent neighbors tomorrow. The C20/20 website has information that the Preserve may be closed for the burn.
A wildfire crossed the Preserve last year and demonstrated the need for fuel reduction across the Preserve. This prescribed fire is a proactive way to reduce wildfire hazards and will be ecologically beneficial. The prescribed burn will also help us attain our ecological goals.
DOF will be pulling the authorization and local fire departments will be using this burn as a training opportunity. The North Fort Myers and Bayshore Fire Departments are very involved and happy that we are being pro-active to prevent another potential wildfire which costs them money to fight and ties them up from other calls. Prairie Pines provides an unfortunate link of wildfire potential from the Suncoast area north through Charlotte County and with our fuel reduction efforts we will provide fire fighting agencies a buffer between the two heavy fuel areas.
DOF rangers will patrol I-75 overnight to ensure smoke situations do not arise and fire department engines will be present in the neighborhoods to provide a feeling of comfort to residents.
Prairie Pines has received quite a bit of work this year. We have been fortunate to partner with DOF on the pine tree thinning and melaleuca removal on this preserve. This prescribed burn will get us off to a great start for keeping the melaleuca out of the preserve and getting it on a responsible burn rotation.
2/26/2010|
Herons Glen Artists Display Artwork in Commissioner's office
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: FEBRUARY 25, 2010
CONTACT: Commissioner Tammy Hall – District 4 Commissioner
(239) 533-2226 office
HERONS GLEN RESIDENTS DISPLAY ARTWORK IN COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE
FORT MYERS, FL — Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall is supporting local artists by giving them an opportunity to display their artwork in her Fort Myers office.
This month the Herons Glen Artist Group will display acrylic, oils, & water color originals in Commissioner Hall’s downtown Fort Myers office until April 2, 2010. The nine artists: Barb Stein, Lois Smith, Madelyn Moffet, Tootie Stark, Judy Tyler, Judith Biddle, Dee Fugere, Bunny Carter, and Gary Olsen all live in the Herons Glen Community. The public is welcome to view the artwork and learn more about the artists. Please call 533-2226 to confirm office hours for viewing the artwork.
“The arts are an important part of the cultural and development of our community” says Commissioner Hall. “I believe that government can play an important role in public awareness, developing the use of public spaces for display and interaction of art, and for the encouragement and commitment of continued financial support both public and private of all the arts.”
Other local artists will be featured every four to six weeks. Commissioner Hall’s office is on the first floor of the Old County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street in downtown Fort Myers.
Commissioner Hall is the recipient of the Angel of the Arts Award – Business Sponsor 2009. She was elected to the Board of Lee County Commissioners in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. Her district includes North Fort Myers and the central and northern portions of Cape Coral. For more information on this program, please contact Carmen Salomé, Executive Assistant, at 239-533-2226.
ABOUT THE ARTIST (artist bios were not available at the time of this release).
2/5/2010
The web site is up and running. The videos are there and there is a "talk to us" page where comments can be submitted. We will be continuously adding information as it is developed so please don’t think this is all there will be. We are currently in the process of selecting a day and time for the first stakeholders meeting hopefully late this month. Feel free to check it out www.Colonialexpress.net
2/2/2010|
North Fort Myers Community Planning Panel - REVISED MEETING DATE
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Revised date for the meeting
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North Fort Myers Community Planning Panel Meeting
Monday, February 8, 2010 6:00pm
Meeting located at The North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center |
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The N Ft Myers Community Planning Panel will have a meeting on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 6:00pm.
The meeting will be held at the N Ft Myers Chamber of Commerce office located at the Shell Factory
2787 N Tamiami Trail, #10 (across from Capt'n Fishbones restaurant)
Larue Planning will present the most recent plans regarding the Land Development code changes that will ultimately be incorporated into the Lee Comprehensive plan.
There will be a question and answer period after the presentation.
Please feel free to forward this notice to friends, neighbors and N. Ft Myers business owners.
The meeting had been scheduled for Tuesday the 9th but it is in conflict with the Civic Association annual meeting the NFMCPP meeting is now on Monday the 8th
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1/22/2010|
Local Artist Displays Artwork in Commissioner's office.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 12, 2010
CONTACT: Commissioner Tammy Hall – District 4 Commissioner
(239) 533-2226 office
ARCADIA RESIDENT DISPLAYS ARTWORK IN COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE
FORT MYERS, FL — Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall is supporting local artists by giving them an opportunity to display their artwork in her Fort Myers office.
This month Arcadia resident John Watkins, will display his acrylic originals in Commissioner Hall’s downtown Fort Myers office until February 19, 2010. Watkins is a self taught artist. He paints with acrylics and builds many of his custom frames from old barn wood. The public is welcome to view the artwork and learn more about the artist (see below). Please call 533-2226 to confirm office hours for viewing the artwork.
“The arts are an important part of the cultural and development of our community” says Commissioner Hall. “I believe that government can play an important role in public awareness, developing the use of public spaces for display and interaction of art, and for the encouragement and commitment of continued financial support both public and private of all the arts.”
Other local artists will be featured every four to six weeks. Commissioner Hall’s office is on the first floor of the Old County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street in downtown Fort Myers.
Commissioner Hall is the recipient of the Angel of the Arts Award – Business Sponsor 2009. She was elected to the Board of Lee County Commissioners in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. Her district includes North Fort Myers and the central and northern portions of Cape Coral. For more information on this program, please contact Carmen Salomé, Executive Assistant, at 239-533-2226.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
John Watkins is a local artist residing in Arcadia, Florida. Originally from the coastal town of Poquoson, Virginia John grew up along the marshes of the eastern coast. His early love of this area is reflected in his work featuring wildlife and marsh scenes reminiscent of his lifetime near rivers. Watkins is a self taught artist and has never taken an art class or lesson. His passion for painting is equal to his love of the oral history of Poquoson, Virginia where he grew up and learned to spin a yarn from local story tellers. Many of these historical events and landmarks are captured on canvas. Depictions of a ducks, geese, herons, owls and a variety of birds grace many of the canvases. When Watkins finds a subject that strikes him he puts it into a painting. His body of work is varied but his attention to fine detail is prevalent. Sometimes he painstakingly creates detail so tiny you have to squint your eyes to capture the image. This attention to detail is what makes viewers take a second and third look at his work.
Watkins also builds large wooden models of work boats. Many of the work boats have long since retired from duty on the waterways in Virginia. Many rest in boatyards along the Back River in retirement and precious few in restoration. Future plans include building more model boats from the Chesapeake Bay waterways.
Watkins mainly paints with acrylics and builds many of his custom frames from old barn wood. His studio in Arcadia includes a woodworking studio where he builds the model boats, custom painted rod racks and other fine wood crafts in addition to his daily paintings. Tours of the studio are available daily upon appointment and Watkins accepts private commissions.
Contact J.W Arts & Crafts Studio at (863)494-6817.
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The next North Fort Myers Community Planning Panel meeting
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The N Ft Myers Community Planning Panel will have a meeting on Tuesday Feb 9th at 6:00pm
The meeting will be held at the N Ft Myers Chamber of Commerce office located at the Shell Factory
2787 N Tamiami Trail, #10 (across from Capt’n Fishbones restaurant)
Larue Planning will present the most recent plans regarding the Land Development code changes that will ultimately be incorporated into the Lee Comprehensive plan.
There will be a question and answer period after the presentation.
Please feel free to forward this notice to friends, neighbors and N Ft Myers business owners.
Thanks,
John Gardner
N Ft Myers Community Planning Panel 1/15/2010|
New - County Manager Blog
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Fort Myers, Fl. (January 15, 2010) – Karen Hawes, County Manager for Lee County Government, announced today that a new “County Manager Blog” has been added to the county’s website. The blog will provide citizens up-to-date information on current administrative issues. It will not replace Departmental press releases or information regarding ongoing projects and activities. Instead, this will be a means to get the word out on the challenges that Lee County faces in these tough economic times and the positive news of the County’s operation. Even with those challenges, Lee County has many opportunities to make necessary changes by utilizing innovative solutions to help build a viable and efficient organization.
The blog will be updated on a weekly basis and can be accessed at the county’s website at: http://www.lee-county.com/gov/dept/countymanager/blog/
1/13/2010|
Nominations for Paulette Burton Citizen of the Year Award
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January 7, 2010
Nominate someone for the 2009 Paulette Burton Citizen of the Year Award
It’s time again for nominations of the 2009 Paulette Burton Citizen of the Year Award.
The award strives to recognize a citizen who has provided outstanding civic contributions to Lee County government.
The selection criteria include a positive attitude, knowledge of the objectives and activities of Lee government, a demonstrated interest in community/county government partnerships and promotion of harmony between the community and county government.
Commissioners will select the winner. Nomination forms are available at Lee County libraries, recreation centers and www.lee-county.com">Lee’s Web site and click on Paulette Burton Nomination Form under “Featured Content.”) The nominations are due by 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22. | 12/28/2009
NFM/Cape Coral Residents - Please see the information below from the County Manager. I have attached the survey and documents to email sent to you. If you have any questions, contact the county manager's office. Thank you. Commissioner Hall.
Lee County has been engaged in a multi-month strategic planning process that has included presentations to the Board of County Commissioners, a citizen survey, and an employee survey.
We also need your input!
Because of the very real possibility that further cutbacks will be necessary in 2010 and 2011, we want to know which programs and service levels are most important to you.
This will be part of what we present to the Board at its Goals Sessions in February.
You all have a unique perspective in that, being advisory committee members, you interact with the county on a much closer basis, and have a more familiar understanding of certain programs and services. So, your feedback is especially important.
Could you please do the following:
- Complete the attached Citizen Survey. Please note that section #18 has customized questions and an open-ended question about priorities and cutbacks. (The survey will have to be printed to be completed).
- Review the attached Word document titled “Discretionary.” These are departmental services and programs, categorized by fund, that are not mandated by law. Please rank them, by department, with 1. being the LOWEST priority to cut (least likely to cut), and 2. next lowest (more likely to cut), etc.
- On the attached Word document titled “Feedback,” please provide any feedback you wish on strategic planning, priorities, and/or further cutbacks.
You can either drop off the package at County Administration, email it back to Laurel Chick at chickla@leegov.com or
FAX: 239-485-2262
MAIL: Lee County Manager’s Office
P.O. Box 398
Fort Myers, FL 33902-0398
Thank you.
Karen B. Hawes
County Manager
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