Tuesday, June 28, 2005

A MUST READ STATE ELECTIONS COMING UP IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Mary: Thank you so much for your hard work. I hope your writers will remember that in 2006 we will be holding very important elections in the State of Florida. A new Governor and Cabinet as well as several House and Senate members. Several of these candidates have started exploratory committees, or have already opened their campaigns to run for a particular office. An Election Year can prove to be very valuable during this type of protest with a project that will alter our green space and quality of life forever.
If your members are looking for people to write to so we can make everyone more aware of what is happening in Cape Coral, the following members of the Governor's Cabinet should be on the mailing list.
The Attorney General, Charlie Crist, has announced plans to run for Governor
His information follows:
Office of Attorney General Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

Main office telephone number Switchboard: 850-414-3300


Our Chief Financial Officer has opened his campaign for Governor and was just here in this area.


cfo@fldfs.com Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher


Our Commissioner of Agriculture is Charles Bronson

Contact the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, commissioner@doacs.state.fl.us
Mailing Address:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
The Capitol,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0800
Telephone: (850) 488 - 3022

Many of us believe that Lt. Governor Jennings will aslo be running, she does not post an email but her address is as follows:


400 S Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
phone 850-488-4711

Senator Saunders has announced he is exploring the


opportunity to run for State Attorney General.


His information is as follows:

Senator Burt L. Saunders
1039`SE 9th Place Suite 310
Cape Coral, FL 33990
phone 239-338-2777

Representative Kottkamp has always been a great supporter


of Cape Coral. His information for email is as follows:


He is home for the summer so great time for contact.


He has a local office:


Rep: Jeff Kottkamp


3501 Delprado Blvd. Suite 305


Cape Coral, Fl 33904


phone 239-334-4900


Jeff.Kottkamp@myfloridahouse.gov

Lt. Governor Toni Jennings

Write:
PL 05 The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Telephone:
850/488-4711
Fax: 850/921-6114


Other information: Dr. Elinor Screika, the Chairwoman of the Lee County School Board is the guest speaker tomorrow evening at the Cape Coral Rep. Club. They meet at The Association of Realtors building at club Square on 47th Terrace,by the Bingo Hall and The Elks Club. During questions, someone can ask her about comments made later in the meeting tonight about keeping their interest in the Golf Course.


I hope this information is of help as you and the residents continue to work passionately to save The Golf Club.


M.Mastroianni

Letter from Robert & Helen Norton

For the record, I am not opposed to having the city of Cape Coral
purchase the Cape Coral Golf Course, IF they intend to retain it as a
golf course or convert it to a park and recreation area that would
continue to benefit those in the Southeast and elsewhere.

Having held public office as both a borough Clerk and a Member of a
School Board, one of the things that those government organizations were
especially cognizant of was the negative community impact of replacing a
perceived asset with a perceived negative; and the proposal to convert
the golf course to a school complex does exactly that. Shame on those
who propose it; and I ask you to work to defeat the proposal.

The golf course property represents an important "Green Area" for the
rather densely populated Southeast area, and if acquired should either
remain a public course or developed as a recreation area primarily for
retired, and vacationing adults. The city is doing a good job of
building ball parks and other recreation areas for children and young
adults; however, it is seriously lacking areas that are suitable for its
major population demographic: pre and post retirement adults. Land
value is escalating rapidly in the area and older home purchases for
extensive remodelling and/or replacement continues to enhance this
beautiful and desirable canal and river access area. Putting a school
complex in such an area is flying in the face of usage and would cause
the area to deteriorate and important segments the population to move
from the area. The end result would be the halting of desirable growth,
devaluation of prime property area and a reduction in ratables as the
values lessened which they most surly would do.

I Own a home and walk and cycle extensively in the Southeast areas, and
the area under discussion does not have a high percentage of families
with school age children. In fact, they are frequently served by
compact school busses rather than full sized. I see the property
improvements, the relatively few children waiting for busses, and I also
see the increased amount of traffic on both Country Club and Palm Tree,
and none are compatible with a school complex.

The city residents would be far better served, by continuing to have
schools built in the Northeast and Northwest where fewer canals exist,
land is more reasonable and where a number of schools presently exist.
All of these factors speak to more efficient child transport and a
better extended campus network. Also the development in these areas
lends itself to families with school age children, and indeed, that is
what can be found there now. property is more affordable there for
obvious reasons.

Putting a school complex in the center of one of the most positively
growing, desirable, empty nester, residential areas that was developed
expressly for the use of retirees, fishermen, boaters, and others who
wish to live on or near the water, not ony changes the long established
character of the area, and it is not only ill-advised; it is also
fiscally imprudent, and lacks the kind of vision and foresight that will
continue to make Cape Coral a wonderful planned community. Don't do it.
It makes no sense whatsoever.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Norton
Helen P. Norton
1109 SE 40th Street
Cape Coral, FL 33904

Lee County School Board Meeting REPORT

The Lee County School Board Has Rescinded its offer to purchase the Golf Course. Watch your local News Tonight. Please plan to attend the Meeting scheduled for Thursday June 30 at 7 PM. Now we need to pursue the preservation of The Golf Club. Our work has only just begun. Thank you all for your continued support as we have many more hurdles to overcome. Mary

Important letter from Scott in LaBelle

Mary: I saw tonight on the news, that you are getting a lot of coverage. I think that's great and hopefully it will help you. I know in our short conversation earlier today, you mentioned the word attorney and I am sure that your group will probably retain an attorney for legal advice and representation at meetings, etc. I would like to find a GOOD attorney for our cause also and I don't know of any local attorneys here that I would like to use. Do you have any recommendations of someone we could contact to help us. We want someone, like you, that is good in real estate issues and is sympathetic to a cause such as ours.

Please e-mail me or call me with any recommendations.

ps. I got an e-mail today from Dan Trescott at the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council who said that today he got a phone call from someone at Dept of Community Affairs who is now going to look into our issue. They weren't going to do anything until we contacted the Attorney General's Office.

Thanks.

Scott Wegscheid

SURVEY TOP 5 CONCERNS

Dear Readers, We in the process of organizing the agenda for the meeting scheduled Thursday night. We want you (the Cape Coral Homeowners) to pick the top 5 concerns to be covered at this meeting. Please click the comments bar at the bottom of THIS post and share your #1 concern . We will tally the survey Thursday afternoon. Please don't email your survey answer to me as I am overloaded already. Thank you.

Email from Peter Nachbur

Thanks for hosting this web site. I'm in the Adirondack mountains of NY State for the summer. I own a 4th floor Augusta unit in Villa 2 so I have a great interest to see the golf course remain. I'm in communication with Gary Fluharty. Any suggestions from you will be welcome. Meanwhile, I'll monitor the web site. Thanks, Peter Nachbur

Letter from Alex LePera

Good afternoon,
>
>Just to let you know that I am in receipt of your e-mail and many similar e-mails and understand your position on this issue. Like you, I am in an information gathering mode. I have already been to your newly founded web site, Save the Golf Course and am planning to attend the Thursday night meeting.
>
>As the current potential buyer is the Lee County School Board, I strongly suggest that you and others take your concerns directly to Dr. Browder and the board.
>
>Hope to see you Thursday evening. Thank you for your input.
>
>Alex LePera
>City Council, Dist.#5

Letter from Mayor Eric P. Feichthaler

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sauer
>
>Thank you for your comments. First, let me say that I am in favor of
>the course remaining a golf course. To answer a few of your questions
>and comments:
>
>1) This property is the cheapest per acre available in the city, which
>is why the school district is interested.
>2) You are correct that the course is single family residential. Based
>on this, a housing development could occur there, which many developers
>are interested in doing. However, the land use is parks and recreation,
>and I support kepping it that way.
>3) I believe the School District is trying to do their best for the
>City of Cape Coral. We are in desparate need of schools. Again,
>although this site has many advantages, the land should remain with a
>parks and recreation designation.
>
>Keep in mind, whoever decides to buy this course will want to maximize
>their profit, and may seek to rezone the entire property for homes and
>commercial development. Although I would not support this, I am but one
>vote. To the district's credit, they do intend to keep much of this
>land as parks, and would have a large buffer around the entire property.
>
>
>Again, thank you for your comments, and enjoy your Summer in Cape Coral.
>
>Regards,
>
>Eric P. Feichthaler
>Mayor
>City of Cape Coral
>(239) 574-0440

from Kellie and Peter Roch

Dear Mary,
Thank you for organizing this fight against the Golf Club sale. We are away for part of the summer, but want you to know you have our full support in this fight. We as everyone else who purchased a home in the area ,did so for the view, and the established neighborhood. I can't begin to think what this purchase will cost the residents of Cape Coral. Impact fees are already amongst the highest in the area, and will only increase when roads are needed.Higher taxes are a must because someone needs to compensate for the loss of revenue. This isn't just a problem for golf course residents, it is a problem for all residents of Cape Coral.

Our school situation in the SE is adequate for the residents of the area. If other areas were not bused in, we would not need to build schools in the SE. The NE and NW are the place to build schools.

Sincerely,

Kellie and Peter Roch
SE 9th Ct.

from Patrica Foote

Good Morning,

I am Patricia Foote and reside at 702 SE 36th Street. Even though my property does not abut the golf course, I am adamantly opposed to the proposed sale of the golf course properties to the Lee County Schools. I, too, purchased my home in this area after much research into potential road expansion, zoning and designated uses.

My suggestion for an inexpensive, readily available show of support for the defeat of the Lee School purchase is the display of green ribbons signifying support for "Save the Greens" keeping in mind the stringent codes involving that display. I plan to establish an appropriate method of display as the result the most recent debacle about the removal of the yellow ribbons for a returning soldier. I, believe, putting them on the front door would not violate the current codes, but the suggested placement can be discussed so we do not "muddy the waters," divert attention and dilute the support needed to defeat the purchase by the Lee County School Board.

The current proposal would require changes in zoning to accommodate the school project which has the potential to expand the downtown area up across the current golf course and into the neighborhoods. The rezoning and building of a large school campus would not enhance property values. This project is not a small neighborhood school, but a large county school facility generating noise, traffic, pollution and the destruction of environmentally-sensitive land.

Additionally, Mr. Stewart's actions in having a meeting with individuals representing the golf course owners and then alleging he knew not with whom he was meeting and thought they were representing the Lee County School Board is farfetched at best. Can Mr. Stewart be so naive to think that the citizens of this community would believe he did not know with whom he was meeting. Standard business practices dictate establishing the identify of an individual or group and their intent in asking for a meeting. Mr. Stewart is a seasoned professional from whom I would expect a code of behavior fitting his office. This was not demonstrated by a March meeting with this group, lack of notification of the council and what appears to be some in-depth discussions of his support for the project, as well as in-depth discussions of how the City of Cape Coral would entertain involvement in the project. The expectations and process would be the same even if the meeting had taken place with individuals directly representing the Lee County School Board. The alleged discussions would have triggered concerns of lack of notification and potential support by the City of the proposed project without community involvement.

I offer my support and wish to become involved in addressing this issue. I look forward to hearing from you.


Patricia Foote

Letter from Mayor Eric P. Feichthaler

Dear Ms. Levy,

Thank you for your message. Congratulations on your new condominium. We all recognize the need for schools, and there are many advantages to the Golf club location. However, hundreds of residents in this area, including yourself, will be impacted by such a school. Considering the historical significance of the course, and the lack of recreational green space in Cape Coral, I believe the schools should be located elsewehere. I hope the seller can attract a buyer that will continue to operate the course as is, possibly allowing a resort hotel to be located there.

Please attend the town hall meetings that will be scheduled on this matter. Enjoy your new condominium, and we will work to see the residents are protected.

Regards,

Eric P. Feichthaler
Mayor
City of Cape Coral
(239) 574-0440

from Jim and Nancy Mathews

We are residents on SE 3rd Ave, directly west of the main entrance to the Golf Club. We have only lived here for a couple of years; however, it looks as though we may soon be leaving if this sale is finalized. Dr. Browder indicated traffic problems will not occur due to the varied start times....is he kidding? It will only extend the problems for about 5 hours per day! As for the view......pack your camera and go visit the Cape Coral High School at dismissal time. While you are there, check out the dumpster which is in plain view of the highway. You can't miss it, it's right behind the chain link fence just north of the building. Nice area...I certainly would not choose to live near it! Buses and cars and kids hanging around after school leaving their litter everywhere really does not make a pleasant surrounding in which to live. And they want five buildings erected there.....in an area that has no room left for new growth? When the "signs" are ready for the lawns, do not forget us, we will gladly put one in our front yard. If we can help, let us know.

Jim is a retired Michigan teacher (35 yrs) and I was Exec. Secretary to the Superintendent and Board of Education in Riverview, Mich.

Jim and Nancy Mathews

Letter from Patricia Foote

FAX

Patricia Foote

702 SE 36th Street

Cape Coral, Florida 33904

239-542-2111 – Cell 239-560-3252

pfoote@swfla.rr.com

DATE: June 28, 2005

TO: Mayor Eric Feichthaler
District 1 Jim Jeffers
District 2 Richard Stevens
District 3 A.J. Boyd jr.
District 4 Dolores Bertolini
District 5 Alex Lepera
District 6 Timothy Day
District 7 Mickey Rosado

239-574-0429

FROM: Patricia Foote

SUBJECT: Proposed Sale of Golf Course Property – Lee County School Project

# PAGES 2

Even though my property does not abut the golf course, I am adamantly opposed to the proposed sale of the golf course properties to the Lee County Schools. I, too, purchased my home in this area after much research into potential road expansion, zoning and designated uses.

The current proposal would require changes in zoning to accommodate the school project which has the potential to expand the downtown area up across the current golf course and into the neighborhoods. The rezoning and building of a large school campus would not enhance property values. This project is not a small neighborhood school, but a large county school facility generating noise, traffic, pollution and the destruction of environmentally-sensitive land.

Additionally, Mr. Stewart's actions in having a meeting with individuals representing the golf course owners and then alleging he knew not with whom he was meeting and thought they were representing the Lee County School Board is farfetched at best. Can Mr. Stewart be so naive to think that the citizens of this community would believe he did not know with whom he was meeting. Standard business practices dictate establishing the identify of an individual or group and their intent in asking for a meeting. Mr. Stewart is a seasoned professional from whom I would expect a code of behavior fitting his office. This was not demonstrated by a March meeting with this group, lack of notification of the council and what appear to be some in-depth discussions of his support for the project, as well as in-depth discussions of how the City of Cape Coral would entertain involvement in the project. The expectations and process would be the same even if the meeting had taken place with individuals directly representing the Lee County School Board. The alleged discussions would have triggered concerns of lack of notification and potential support by the City of the proposed project without community involvement.

YOU ARE NOW IN THE LOOP – During the most recent elections you received the support of the voters. It is now your turn to support those very people who went to the polls on your behalf.

The proposed golf course sale and development is surrounded by early behind-the-scenes maneuvers and lack of communication with the Council and the citizens of the City of Cape Coral. It is paramount that the Council step up and address, not only the proposed sale of the property, but the questions and concerns surrounding the proposal. I urge you to consider the historic nature of the area, the designated downtown development areas, the impact of the change-in-use zoning, and the major investments of the property owners not only directly abutting the golf course property, but those properties in close proximity to the golf course. The potential loss to the City of Cape Coral far outweighs the benefits of siting a large Lee County School facility on the property.

Responsible development is important in the City of Cape Coral. Please don’t demonstrate a lack of responsibility to the current citizens of Cape Coral and the potential buyers who do their research before investing in the community. I, too, did my research before selecting Cape Coral and the specific area best suited to my lifestyle, economics and a sound investment. Changing zoning and use in an established area that is the historical center of the founders and original community does not send a message of responsible development. I urge you to retain the present zoning and golf course designations.

Letter to Chairman Scricca

Dear Chairman Scricca:

Having received my Master's Degree in Business Education, I want you to know that I truly believe in education and recognize the need for new schools. This said, I think that destroying an existing golf course in an established, older neighborhood to build the schools is the wrong decision. I am a homeowner at Banyan Trace Condos.

I selected this area because of the golf course, and enjoy the fact that most of my neighbors are senior citizens or retirees.

Also, this area is not where the growth is happening. Most new family homes are being built in the Northeast and Northwest sections of Cape Coral. Wouldn't it make more sense and cost less to build on undeveloped land,

where you would not be disrupting the quality of life for the residents? Please put yourself in our position.


Thank you,

Dena Levy,
4009 Palm Tree Blvd.
Cape Coral, Fl 33904

Letter from LaBelle

Hello Ms. Neilson:

I just wanted to let you know that I hope you are successful in blocking the purchase of your golf course. I live in LaBelle and we had a similar situation happen to us which we are only now really beginning to fight. Our golf course (Oxbow Golf Course) was split up by the owner into various parcels and sold at an auction. Our county officials let this happen even though the comprehensive land use plan called for "Leisure - Recreation" as the use for this property. They are only now trying to get a comprehensive land use plan amendment to change the use to single family and multi-family. We are also going to fight this. Please check with the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and the Dept. of Community Affairs in Tallahassee to see if they might be of any assistance to you. I don't know what Lee County's Comp Plan calls for currently on your course, but I assume that they will have to change it to allow the school use.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to help you. I have been researching our situation for the last 5-6 months and talking to the Regional Planning Council and DCA.

Sincerely,


Scott Wegscheid
P.O. Box 2061
LaBelle, Fla 33975
(863) 673-4630

Letter to Governor Bush

Dear Governor Bush:

I am sure you are aware of the mixed sentiments regarding the sale of the Cape Coral Golf Course. I am a Banyan Trace Condo owner. I purchased this condo because it was on the golf course. I am a senior citizen and have invested all my

savings in this purchase. Not only would my investment not appreciate, but I would stand to lose considerably if

instead of facing a golf course, I had a view of a cement parking lot and building. I understand the need for new
schools, but is it fair to disrupt established homes to accomplish this? The southwest cape coral area is an older, established neighborhood, populated by senior citizens and retirees, not young growing families.

Before buying at Banyan Trace, I did investigate the history of this golf course. It was designed by Dick Wilson in

1962. Dick Wilson is responsible for several other famous courses, such as the Blue Monster Course at Doral,
and the Championship Course at Bay Hill. I believe it is a wonderful piece of history that Cape Coral can claim.
How could the destruction of this course be explained to the many golfers who vacation in Florida all year long.

Please encourage the Lee County School Board to continue to pursue other areas for the new schools needed.


Thank you,

Dena Levy
4009 Palm Tree Blvd.
Cape Coral, FL 33904

News Press Mailbag article by Fort Myers resident

" One Man's trash
I can understand the anger , frustration and apprehension of the condo owners in Cape Coral who are upset over the pending sale of their golf course view to the Lee County school board. Since I never think like the majority, I would like to offer another view. My nephew lives in an upscale community in Arizona that has an elementary school on the grounds. The neighborhood surrounds the school and is beautifully landscaped. Residents in the community have their children on a wait list to attend the school before they are born. One of the major selling points in the community is the proximity to the schools. Perhaps Dr. Browder is a visionary who will work closely with the developers to ensure that the landscape blends with the homes and the view is aesthetically pleasing aas well as functional. For every seller there is a buyer and what is not valuable to one person may be priceless to another." SHERRY SNOWDEN Fort Myers

from JULIA LOMBARDI

TO THE TOWN COUNCIL:

MY HUSBAND (CARMINE LOMBARDI) AND I RESIDE AT 4112 SOUTH EAST 8TH AVENUE, CAPE CORAL. OUR BACKYARD IS THE THIRD HOLE FOR THE GOLF CLUB.

WE PURCHASED THIS HOME NINE YEARS AGO AS A RETIREMENT HOME BECAUSE THE PROPERTY WAS ADJACENT TO THE GOLF COURSE AND WE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

NOW THE CITY MANAGER, TERRY STEWART AND THE LEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM US AND OUR NEIGHBORS THE SECURE FEELING THAT WE ONCE ENJOYED AS PROPERTY OWNERS IN CAPE CORAL.

HOW CAN THE TOWN COUNCIL JUSTIFY MR. STEWART'S ACTIONS?

HOW MUCH TIME AND ENERGY WAS PUT INTO RESEARCHING THE SALE OF THIS PROPERTY TO THE LEE BOARD OF EDUCATION?

HOW MUCH PROPERTY TAXES WILL BE LOST AS A RESULT OF THIS SALE TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION?

DID ANYONE WHO IS INVOLVED WITH THIS UNDERHANDED SALE EVER CONSIDER THE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE ADJACENT TO THE GOLF COURSE AND THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO RESIDE IN THE GENERAL AREA?

AS A RETIRED PROFESSIONAL, I WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED ON THE SPOT IF I EVER DID ANYTHING SO UNDERHANDED AS NEGOTIATE A DEAL WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT OF THE MANAGEMENT STAFF THAT I REPORTED TO. I BELIEVE THAT MR. STEWART FALLS INTO THIS CATEGORY, HOW CAN THE COUNCIL TRUST HIM AFTER THIS.? CAN YOU AFFORD TO ENTRUST MR. STEWART WITH FUTURE DEALINGS THAT INVOLVE CAPE CORAL?

I AM VERY INVOLVED WITH THE CAPE CORAL SOCIAL CLUB. I AM THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT IN CHARGE OF MEMBERSHIP, AND ONE OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES IS TO BOAST ABOUT CAPE CORAL AND HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO LIVE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY. I SINCERELY DON'T THINK THAT I CAN PASS ALONG THIS SENTIMENT TO ANYONE. PERHAPS IT IS TIME FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN MOVING TO LEE COUNTY TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.

I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED MANY LETTERS REGARDING THIS SUBJECT AND I AM SURE THAT THEY ALSO VOICE OUR CONCERNS.

AS PROPERTY OWNERS AND VOTERS, WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO PROTECT OUR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT, THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND MAKE SURE THAT FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL REPRESENT THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS OF CAPE CORAL NOT JUST DEVELOPERS.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO JUST CLOSED ON A CONDO IN BAYAN TRACE AS A INVESTMENT AND A HOME TO LIVE IN ON WILDWOOD. AT THIS POINT SHE IS SO UPSET THAT SHE IS CONSIDERING SELLING. IS THIS HOW WE CONVEY THAT CAPE CORAL IS PARADISE? WHY SHOULD THIS HAPPEN TO THE RESIDENTS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD?

PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS LETTER.

THANK YOU.

JULIA LOMBARDI

from Shelly Sauer

To the Lee County School Board, Cape Coral City Council and all others who may be concerned about our golf course:

We purchased our golf course home in October 1998 and have for the most part enjoyed every minute of it. Now it looks as though it will be taken from us and our neighbors. Here are our thoughts on this travesty:

The News-Press states that the purchase of prime property was 26 million dollars. Money spent that the entire Lee County will bear the brunt of in their taxes. It is prime property because of the golf course. Once there is no longer a course the value becomes grossly deflated and the tax payers are still liable for 26 million dollars. The School Board does not contribute to our tax base therefore we will lose whatever tax contributions the golf course makes to our city.

Mr. Scott Siler stated that “golf business is in decline”. How false is that!!!!? Would developers be building golf communities all over Florida if that were true. Golf course communities are being built everywhere in the entire country for that matter. The Fort Myers/Eastwood Courses have had record years. In season you have to call days in advance for a tee time. Off season it is a little easier due to the winter resident’s return to their northern homes. The reason golf is on the decline at The Golf Club is because his rates are too high, when there are so many less expensive courses in Fort Myers and surrounding communities. Most everyone is willing to pay $2 in tolls to save $15 or more in green fees. Golfers from other communities are not willing to pay $2 in tolls to spend the extra money to play at The Golf Club.

Our tax record states that our property is single family residential, GOLF COURSE etc, etc. We paid for this in our purchase price and have every year in our taxes. Is the city and county going to lower my taxes since I will no longer have golf course property? Again I state the value in the property is the fact that it is golf course, not schools. Are the citizens willing to spend 26 million dollars for the property that once the golf course is gone probably won’t be worth any more than any standard lot in Cape Coral?

What about the properties on a lake, is that next? Will they want to fill in a lake and take away that from other residents next? As absurd as it sounds what about the canals, can they be filled in for roads or filled in and land locked denying access to the river and gulf to those residents? Where will it end if this is allowed to take place here?

This was timed perfectly for deception, the school board and city council are off for summer vacations and the winter residents are also gone for the summer. If no one was trying to pull the rug out from under the residents of our neighborhood than why the secrecy and why wasn’t it even mentioned at the last board meeting. Then Mr. Browder could have given the full $25,000 instead of having to short it $1 without consulting his superiors. He overstepped his bounds on this one.

This is an established neighborhood of long time residents who purchased on the golf course to see them into retirement. Some of the newer residents purchased their dream home and used every bit of their savings to purchase here hopeful that it would increase in value.

Lets get to the problems a school complex would bring to our lovely, established, historical neighborhood…..traffic, congestion, noise, pollution, litter, stadium lights, more traffic, more noise, more litter, decreased property values, water runoff and flooding of existing homes and streets. More importantly, lets discuss environmental issues….where will the bald eagles go, the wood storks, tortoises, herons, fox, otters, ducks, fish and much more who call the golf course home.

Cape Coral has the beginnings of gangs staking out territories. What are next, drugs on our street corners? We all know that drugs are more readily available in and around schools than anywhere else. Students are the targets for drug dealers, hook them young and you’ll get them for life. This is NOT what we want in our neighborhood. Traditionally schools are built and those that want to live near a school build there. Not the other way around.

These are but a few issues that arise from the under handed dealings of Superintendent Browder and Scott Siler. I’m sure the residents of our beautiful neighborhood can come up with hundreds of reasons this is a bad deal all the way around. Is someone interested in what they have to say? Go to our website and hear what the people want. After all, this country, state, city and community were founded on basic rights granted to us by the Bill of Rights, first and foremost, that we are entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Happiness, that is what we have found right here, in our golf course homes.

from Molly & Ray Knotts

Dear Mary,

Both Ray and I are most pleased that you are heading up the neighborhood protest of the sale of the golf course. Naturally, we are behind you 100%. We purchased our home on SE 9th Ct. because of the established neighborhood and the golf course. We are out of town for my fathers funeral and a family wedding and will not be able to return until July, which makes it impossible for us to attend the June meetings.
If at all possible, we would like to be placed on the opposition record of those meetings. There simply are not enough words in the English language to describe our feelings of betrayal and dismay that Mr.Browder would sneak this action pass the public.
Thank you for being our representative!!!!!

Sincerely,
MOLLY & RAY KNOTTS