Fort Myers Beach News - Island Sand Paper -Coconut Telegraph

03/30/2012 at 2:13pm

New Program at Bay Oaks

Things are changing over at Bay Oaks Recreational Campus. Thanks to the dedication of their hardworking staff and the vision of new Parks and Recreation Director Patti Evans, the 'island's best kept secret' is slowly but surely becoming a secret no more, with new programs being added and extra effort going into promotion of this wonderful community center. For those readers who may be unaware, the following is a summation of the exciting things being offered for the month of April:

Senior Cycle/Flexibility/Toning Class

Participants warm up with a 15-minutes of cycling to music, followed by flexibility coordination and toning segments especially designed for seniors. The class is held every Wednesday and Friday at 10am. $6 for members, $8 for non-members.

The Hunger Games is Worth the Hype

03/29/2012 at 3:10pm

The Hunger Games
is Worth the Hype

Photo: Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks, left) and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) just after Katniss volunteers to represent District 12 in the Hunger Games.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!”

So trumpets a pink-haired and freakishly face-painted Effie Trinket (a nearly unrecognizable Elizabeth Banks) to the stone-faced citizens of District 12 shortly before drawing the names for that year's Hunger Games. This scene at the beginning of the movie sets the tone for 'The Hunger Games' – an attempt by a malevolent government and clueless upper class to get folks to buy the biggest media spin ever, that only by sacrificing their children they may remain in peace.

Fire Chief Mike Becker Resigns

03/12/2012 at 11:22pm

Fire Chief Mike Becker Resigns

Chief Mike Becker of the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District has submitted the following written notice to the District: "Pursuant to Section 20 of my Employment Agreement, I hereby terminate my employment effective June 19, 2012.”

As authorized by Section 20 of Chief Becker’s Employment Agreement, the Board of Fire Commissioners has taken official action to relieve the Chief of his duties through the termination of his Employment Agreement on June 19, 2012. Voting at the meeting were Board Chair, David Brower, Vice-Chair John Scanlon and Secretary/Treasurer Betty Goodacre. According to Brower, the vote was 3-0. Board member Carol Morris did not vote due to her late arrival at the meeting. Ted Schindler is out of state.

Senate passes measure

03/08/2012 at 4:16pm

Senate passes measure to restore Gulf
communities still hurting from 2010 BP spill

The Island Sand Paper has learned that the Senate today passed legislation aimed at making sure no one can take money from victims of BP's oil spill and spend it elsewhere.

The Senate approved the measure - sponsored by U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson, Mary Landrieu and Richard Shelby - by a bipartisan and lopsided 76-22 vote. The amendment was part of a broader transportation bill the Senate currently is debating. The broader bill is expected to pass the Senate by next Tuesday. The House is still working on its transportation bill, but the language of Nelson’s amendment has a dozen bipartisan supporters in that chamber.