Text Size

The News

Letter to the Editor: Islanders ask GIBA for higher taxes, not tolls

03 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor: Please consider the following open letter I recently sent to all members of the bridge authority.

Dear Sirs,

My wife and I recently made Boca Grande our permanent residence. As such, we will be using the bridge almost daily. Therefore, we have taken a more active role in following the progress of the new bridge plans.

We would prefer that the toll structure of the bridge remain as it is and pay our fair share of the cost for the bridge construction through a millage increase. I understand it would be in the range of 1 mill. I am sure you folks are receiving many suggestions and they most certainly span many alternatives. The reasons for our decision are highlighted below:

1) The use of a millage increase is deductible on our Federal 1040 taxes. This indirectly forces the federal government to partially fund the bridge re-construction. This is one of the few ways that islanders can ever expect a federal subsidy for our bridge.
2) The bridge is used daily by many employees and workers on the island. These are the folks that can afford a bridge toll increase the least.
3) We feel that an increase in the toll will result in decreased usage of the bridge which is the start of a downward spiral for bridge revenues.
4) It will be embarrassing to invite off-island guests to our home when they have to pay an excessive toll just to keep island real estate taxes in check.

Thank you for considering our suggestions in your future decisions.
Gerry Getman
Boca Grande

Add new comment

Hard forehands help Griffin/Venezia win 6-2

03 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Nate Griffin hit some of the hardest forehands of his life and Joe Veneziaʼs volleys pierced their targets as the Sarasota pair clobbered their Naples counterpart 6-2 in the third set Wednesday evening, to advance through the first round of the Professional Tennis Exhibition Series at the Boca Grande Club.

Camera Club expo ...

03 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

The Camera Club held their annual exhibit at the Boca Grande Art Alliance on January 28 and 29. A reception was held the Friday evening prior to the show, and many of the photographers were present. Pat Bossey spoke with photographer Marilyn Geil (at left), and photogs Rachel Damioli and Len Tatko were on hand with some of their work.

Add new comment

Strawberry Festival committees start rounding up auction items

03 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

The chairman of the 2012 Strawberry Festival are gathering items for the silent auction that will be held at the event on Saturday, March 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year there will be no live auction, but the silent auction will feature some breathtaking items.

Read more... Add new comment

Artist creates new tarpon for Gasparilla Properties

03 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Larry Anderson from Artistic Illusions in Englewood came out to Boca Grande on Thursday, Feb. 2 with a special passenger in his truck bed - a 1,600-pound concrete tarpon, to be exact. The tarpon replaces the original fiberglass fish at Gasparilla Properties, which was stolen months ago.

Read more... Add new comment

Chamber Director meets and greets with presidential candidates, political gurus for second time

03 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Lew Hastings, Boca Grande’s Chamber of Commerce executive director, had another networking opportunity on Monday, Jan. 30 in Fort Myers when former Speaker Newt Gingrich came to town.

Read more... Add new comment

Romney sweeps Boca Grande primary polls

01 February 2012 Last Updated on 02 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Mitt Romney came out the winner at the Boca Grande polls on Tuesday, Jan. 31 in the presidential primary election. By the end of the day, he had garnered 346 votes at the Boca Grande Community Center polling place.