Local Cracks Top 40Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Andrew Cochrane

Local Cracks Top 40

Every year, Andrew Cochrane and his father Dennis would break open the September issue of Gulfshore Business magazine to see who had made it onto the elite "40 Under Forty” list, a prestigious roster of Who's Who in the Southwest Florida business community that has been compiled and published by Gulfshore Business since 2002. This is a distinction that Andrew has hoped for since he became aware of its existence. Last year he was nominated, and when he didn't make it, Andrew recalls saying to his father, "Well, if I don't make it next year, I won't make it at all, because of my age.” Andrew is 38 years old.

Actually, Andrew's dad, a source of great inspiration to his son (see ISP Issue#?) had warned him that he may not make it because so many of the folks who did were doctors and lawyers, not so much people in the real estate industry. Still, Andrew maintained a positive attitude about it.

Inadvertently applying a visualization technique espoused by New Age self-help gurus, Andrew cut out the announcement in the Gulfshore calling for nominations for this year's list and tacked it up on the board in his office at Lahaina Realty. He went about his daily schedule, but always the announcement was up there to remind him that this could be the year. Evidently, this visualization technique works whether you do it consciously or not. Read more...
Hurricane Earl Batters Caribbean Islands, Heads for U.S. East CoastThursday, September 02, 2010

5 day trackHurricane Earl Batters Caribbean Islands,
Heads for U.S. East Coast

A major storm blowing across the northeastern Caribbean Sea has strengthened to a Category Four hurricane, generating sustained winds of 135 miles per hour with higher gusts.

Hurricane Earl has been ripping roofs off buildings, toppling trees and cutting power to islanders on a course that could threaten the eastern United States later this week.

Cruise ships were diverted and flights canceled across the eastern Caribbean region Monday. Hurricane Earl has damaged homes on several islands including Antigua and Barbuda, where emergency response officials said about 350 people were in shelters.

On the island of St. Martin, 186 miles east of Puerto Rico, winds hit 88 miles per hour and there were numerous reports of power outages and flooding Monday. Read more...
County to Use Tourist Tax Dollars for Red Sox StadiumTuesday, August 31, 2010
Rendering of New Red Sox Stadium
County to Use Tourist Tax Dollars
for Red Sox Stadium

The Board of County Commissioners came on step closer to making the new Red Sox stadium a reality Tuesday when they voted to authorize the sale of bonds to begin construction of the $75 million dollar project.

The meeting began with Commissioner Ray Judah reading a ceremonial presentation recognizing Healthy Start, a program that assists pregnant moms and their babies with medical care.

The BoCC then passed the entire Consent Agenda, which included the addition of $927,764 in grant funds to the Low Income Energy Assistance Program to help struggling residents with their utility bills and the adoption of a resolution requesting funding for the coming fiscal year from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Beach Erosion Control Program - this enables the County to qualify for state assistance for beach erosion control projects.

The first item on the Administrative Agenda authorized a Bond Purchase Agreement for the purpose of locking in a low interest rate for the construction of a new Red Sox stadium. The new stadium and training facility will be built on 100 acres of land on Daniels Parkway north of the airport.

Read more...
Top Story Archives
Top Story Archives...
Issue 499Thursday, September 02, 2010
Workin' for a Livin'Workin' for a Livin'
 
Most residents are aware of who the council members and Town Manager are, but many may not be aware that there are a whole host of folks behind the scenes at Town Hall who labor every day to see that the business of running our island paradise gets done. For our Labor Day issue this year, the Sand Paper decided to introduce readers to the folks they seldom see but whose services they couldn't live without - the Fort Myers Beach Town Staff.
The first thing that most visitors see after climbing the stairs to the second floor of Town Hall is the smiling visage of Rick Sebastian, Administrative Assistant and Receptionist. It is also Sebastian's soothing voice one hears on the telephone directory, calmly directing callers to the right department. Sebastian, who has worked for the Town for four years and been an island resident for 30+, told us he learned his professionalism from years working customer service for the airline industry and Marriot hotels.
"I worked for Northwest Airlines for 25 years," he said. "One day I was looking for flood insurance information on the Town's website and saw they were looking for a receptionist. I knew the airline was cutting back and I had a window where I could semi-retire and still be eligible for my benefits, so I interviewed for the job and thought I was a good fit."
Read more...
Library Q&A
Beach AccessLaid Back Labor Day in Paradise
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Labor Day is a United States Federal holiday that is observed on the first Monday in September of each year. It began as a tribute to the workingman by President Grover Cleveland in 1894.
It is now celebrated as the "end of summer" and very often includes picnics, barbeques, fireworks, water sports and public events. It was previously a last opportunity to travel before the start of school; however, with the school year now starting in August, that, too, is in the past. Widespread use of air conditioning in public schools can be both blamed and thanked for this! (For more on this story read The Island Sand Paper)
Meet Deputy Swanson
Laguna ShoresLaguna Shores Dredging Dilemma
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10 years ago, Laguna Shores homeowner Lou Marrone began to have trouble navigating his boat into Buccaneer Bay to get to his home on the island's south end. Then he noticed that his neighbors were having trouble too - some of them were either waiting for high tide or even anchoring their boats and walking across the sand bar that was forming across the entrance to the little cove on which they lived. As the sand continued to collect, Marrone, then president of the Laguna Shores Homeowners Association, found himself at the helm of a project that would span the next decade of his life - getting the area dredged and designated as a navigable channel. In 2009, it seemed all his hard work had finally paid off: a channel was dug, mile marker signs put in, and everyone could come and go at their leisure. This lasted for about 9 months as the channel immediately filled back in. Now, the 171 waterfront property owners of this quiet community at the tip of Fort Myers Beach - all of whom chipped in for the project along with the condo owners at Marina Towers - are looking for some answers. (For more on this story subscribe to the Island Sand Paper)