Plans to create a transit authority in Lee County are moving forward, with a planning committee okaying the concept of a governing board, a roughly 60-million dollar a year budget, and a sales tax increase to pay for it. “We have to improve Lee Tran and move it to the next phase of mass transit.? We all agree that gridlock on the roads is not acceptable.?? Therefore, we have to get people out of their cars,” said Kevin McGrail, a Cape Coral city councilman, and member of the transit oversight committe for the Metropolitan? Planning Organization.?? “I know we will have to convince the voters that it’s worth the money.?? But as the economy improves, we are going to need to find ways to enhance mass transit.” Lee Tran would have to ask voters to approve a one-penny increase in the local sales tax? — from six cents to seven on the dollar.??? Voters would have to approve in a referendum, that probably would occur sometime in 2012. “We will have to sell the concept to the voters, tell them exactly what they are getting for their money, ?and when,” said Joel Rey, a transportation consultant who is working on the plans for a transit authority.? “Voters in other places have approved extra taxes on themselves, in order to move around more efficiently.???? For example, we can convince families that maybe they can give up one car,? if mass transit could take care of more of their ?transportation needs.?? Getting rid of a car will save them money in the long run.” In the next few weeks, Lee Tran will ask county commissioners for 600-thousand dollars.? That money would be used to continue planning for a transit authority and governing board. Lee homeowner Louis Furen has doubts about the timing of a transit authority.?? “We know people are hurting, so this is probably not the time to even talk about? a new tax,” said Furen. Related Articles Storm damages Cape Coral church Pants policy up for change in Lee County Schools Cape firefighter hurt battling lightning strike blaze Unlocked cars lead to crime spree in Cape Coral
June 25, 2010 | Posted in
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. – There were fireworks Monday night over Cape Coral’s choice for a new city manager.? One council member called the decision a “sham.” Gary King was chosen as the Cape’s new city manager last week from a field of five candidates; but during that process and again Monday night, two council members stood up to criticize King’s past links with the mayor and other council members. “Was this so-called process a ramrodded sham?” asked council member Marty McClain during council debate.? “I have to say, yes it was.” McClain said he felt Gary King’s selection as city manager had been “pre-determined” by his connections on the council.? Fellow council member Kevin McGrail added King hadn’t been completely truthful about donations to Mayor John Sullivan’s election campaign.? Initially revealed as $25, McGrail says Sullivan’s own campaign treasurer claimed it was more. “His affiliations or relationships with anyone on council, that’s all I asked for,” McGrail said.? “I have yet to get a complete and truthful final answer to that.” “I can’t be bought at any price, I don’t care what anybody says,” Sullivan responded.? “They say everyone’s got a price.? Money’s not my thing.” King, a regular at council meetings previously, said he was upfront about all ties. “I said that I actively promoted them, yes,” King said.? “I supported them, yes.” McGrail says he’s concerned king’s name shows up on a “Contract with Cape Coral” campaign pledge, which also included signatures from the mayor and five council members, including Erick Kuehn, who was also appointed to his position by the current council. King maintains there were no special favors. “Everyone’s their own judge of that, but I believe I stood up on my own merits, my own credentials, my own background,” King said. The council is now moving ahead with contract discussions with King.? It could be complete by the time the council returns from its summer district work break on July 19th. Related Articles Guns, money, and puppy stolen from Cape home Storm drain collapse closes busy Cape Coral street Woman killed when car slams into tree in Cape Coral Cape woman wants apology from sheriff’s office
June 15, 2010 | Posted in
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. – There were fireworks Monday night over Cape Coral’s choice for a new city manager.? One council member called the decision a “sham.” Gary King was chosen as the Cape’s new city manager last week from a field of five candidates; but during that process and again Monday night, two council members stood up to criticize King’s past links with the mayor and other council members. “Was this so-called process a ramrodded sham?” asked council member Marty McClain during council debate.? “I have to say, yes it was.” McClain said he felt Gary King’s selection as city manager had been “pre-determined” by his connections on the council.? Fellow council member Kevin McGrail added King hadn’t been completely truthful about donations to Mayor John Sullivan’s election campaign.? Initially revealed as $25, McGrail says Sullivan’s own campaign treasurer claimed it was more. “His affiliations or relationships with anyone on council, that’s all I asked for,” McGrail said.? “I have yet to get a complete and truthful final answer to that.” “I can’t be bought at any price, I don’t care what anybody says,” Sullivan responded.? “They say everyone’s got a price.? Money’s not my thing.” King, a regular at council meetings previously, said he was upfront about all ties. “I said that I actively promoted them, yes,” King said.? “I supported them, yes.” McGrail says he’s concerned king’s name shows up on a “Contract with Cape Coral” campaign pledge, which also included signatures from the mayor and five council members, including Erick Kuehn, who was also appointed to his position by the current council. King maintains there were no special favors. “Everyone’s their own judge of that, but I believe I stood up on my own merits, my own credentials, my own background,” King said. The council is now moving ahead with contract discussions with King.? It could be complete by the time the council returns from its summer district work break on July 19th. Related Articles Guns, money, and puppy stolen from Cape home Storm drain collapse closes busy Cape Coral street Woman killed when car slams into tree in Cape Coral Cape woman wants apology from sheriff’s office
June 15, 2010 | Posted in
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Will Florida turn over land use, growth decisions to voters? By Jeremiah Jacobsen Story Created: Mar 30, 2010 at 9:42 PM EDT Story Updated: Mar 30, 2010 at 10:28 PM EDT CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Future growth of Florida’s communities could soon be in the hands of the public. Amendment 4 on the November ballot would put every land use case up to voters. Cape Coral presented 25 different land use changes being this year at a special meeting Tuesday night.? Right now, those decisions are left to the city council, but if Amendment 4 passes this fall, every case would be put to the people to decide instead. “You really need to do your homework on before you make a yes or no decision,” said city council member Kevin McGrail. The group Florida Hometown Democracy petitioned to put Amendment 4 on the ballot.? Its supporters say the amendment promotes “sensible development” by giving the public a voice. Opponents argue neighbors of any development already get a say at city council hearings. “What Amendment four does is take the decisions out of the neighborhoods and puts it into the hands of political consultants who are going to run campaigns on a citywide basis,” said Joe Mazurkiewicz, a former Cape Coral mayor and executive director of the Cape Council for Progress. This year’s proposed land use changes are part of the city council’s larger plan to increase business and shake the Cape’s reputation as a “bedroom community.” “It’s not a fear of change, its going to make a better Cape Coral,” said former council member Gloria Tate. City leaders fear leaving such issues to the ballot box could hurt that future growth. “When you make an emotional decision on such a complex issue, you may do the completely wrong thing,” said McGrail. Amendment four goes up for a vote on the general election ballot in November. Supporters from Florida Hometown Democracy have posted more information on their website at www.floridahometowndemocracy.com .? Opponents have set up websites of their own, including one at www.florida2010.org . Previous article Email hacker almost gets thousands of dollars Next article DEVELOPING: Man arrested for Fort Myers murder
March 31, 2010 | Posted in
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Cape officials ask for financial statements from aquatic center builder Two deadlines pass before NSCC e-mails response. By WINK News Story Created: Mar 26, 2010 at 7:29 PM EDT Story Updated: Mar 26, 2010 at 7:29 PM EDT CAPE CORAL, FL – THE NATIONAL SWIM CENTER corporation is being asked if their plan for the concourse at cape coral will float. Councilman Kevin McGrail explains, “what essentially our county manager and city manager have done is approached the nssc with some due diligence and basically came up with a bunch of due diligence financial questions. Cape Coral and Lee county officals have asked jointly – where is NSSC getting their 20 million dollar funding for the project and is it guaranteed. They want it in writing because… Councilman Kevin McGrail says, “Our city has been very creative at trying to find ways to get this done.” Part of that has been closing a nearly 27 million dollar shortfall in funding. McGrail continued, “instead of putting all the infrastructure in… all the roads all the parking lots… we are going to build it similar to the developer. we are going to do it in phases along with them,” While councilman McGrail says he supports the idea of a swim center, even with all this work going on councilman Bill Deile is not convinced the project will be a success. “Clearly the desire is on the above 50% – the reality i think is below fifty percent. most of the people who have been working with the figures the facts would give it a low probability.” Next article Charlotte County rehabbing homes
March 27, 2010 | Posted in
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Cape Coral appoints new council member By WINK News Story Created: Mar 15, 2010 at 11:47 PM EDT Story Updated: Mar 15, 2010 at 11:47 PM EDT CAPE CORAL, Fla. – The Cape Coral city council is at full power once again, after the council appointed a new member Monday to replace suspended councilman Eric Grill. Erick Kuehn was chosen from a field of 17 applicants. Kuehn was known as an outspoken critic of the city government for many years, but faced criticism of his own on the first night on the job surrounding his past ties to Mayor John Sullivan. “This entire vote was a sham,” Derek Frazier said to the council during public comment time. Frazier lives in Kuehn’s district five, and expressed concern about Kuehn’s $400-plus donation to Sullivan’s 2009 mayoral campaign. “Can you say dog and pony show? Because that’s essentially what this was for the citizens of Cape Coral,” Frazier said. Kuehn and Sullivan acknowledged the campaign link during the public interviews before kuehn was selected, with support from the mayor. The new council member denies his donation played any role in winning the mayor’s support for an opening that came well after the mayor’s election. “No I didn’t give any money just because I wanted to be up here,” Kuehn said. “John Sullivan didn’t accept the money because he wanted me as a council person.” Kuehn won the seat, 4-to-3, on the first vote, though few members explained why they chose Kuehn. Only council member Chris Chulakes-Leetz said his support of Kuehn was because he was the only applicant who had a petition signed by supporters. His new fellow council members stood behind him, in the midst of the first-night controversy. “I think every single individual deserves a chance,” said council member Kevin McGrail. Kuehn’s appointment lasts until the district five seat comes up for election in 2011, or if suspended councilman Eric Grill is cleared of felony charges and reinstated. Previous article Child Accidently Shot in the Chest Next article SUV slams into apartment
March 16, 2010 | Posted in
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Hackers Attack Cape City Website By WINK News Story Created: Feb 10, 2010 at 12:51 AM EST Story Updated: Feb 10, 2010 at 12:51 AM EST CAPE CORAL, Fla — Computer hackers attacked Cape Coral’s official city website Tuesday morning. Visitors to capecoral.net briefly saw a bizarre picture of an eye and the taunting message, “I’m sorry this site is hacked and you do not have access to it.” Computer security expert Jack Voth told WINK News all websites are vulnerable to attacks. For hackers he says, “the defacing of a website is like child’s play.” Voth gets paid by big companies to hack into their computer systems and point out vulnerabilities. He says websites like Cape Coral’s site are like sitting ducks. Hackers target government websites because they are high profile. Voth says even the CIA has been hit. They do it for bragging rights. “The mentality of hacking groups is not much different than gang bangers,” Voth says. “They just don’t use guns, they use computers.” In this case, Cape Coral officials believe the hackers took advantage of a security flaw in the site’s software. The flaw has been fixed. No employee or resident’s personal information was compromise. The website was restored and brought back to normal within about an hour. While no serious damage was done, Cape council member Kevin McGrail says the attack was a wake-up call for the city. “It tells our IT department, they have to more vigilant.” Next article Driver accused of trying to run down officer
February 10, 2010 | Posted in
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Cape looking into sewage overcharge Error a huge can of worms By WINK News Story Created: Feb 2, 2010 at 12:02 PM EST Story Updated: Feb 2, 2010 at 12:02 PM EST Cape Coral – Councilman Bill Diele has been scanning through documents and fielding phone calls, trying to untangle the mess after it was discovered thousands of Cape Coral residents have been overcharged for sewer bills for the past five years. “There are 143,000 residential accounts that show water consumption greater than 10-thousand gallons,” he said. Diele says there was supposed to be a cap on charges but it wasn’t enforced. “The ordinance put a 10-thousand gallon cap per month or your sewer bill,” says Diele, “on the theory that all the potable water was not going back into the sewer system.” Somehow, that cap was removed. Now, the problem for city leaders is trying to figure out who has been overcharged and by how much. The next issue: if those people are paid back, rates may have to go up to cover the refunds. Councilman Kevin McGrail says it’s a difficult task. “We have to go through our old computer system and pull archival data,” he says. Homeowner Ed Winkler says he’s resigned to the notion the money will go in one pocket and out the other. “We’ve got to pay for what they have done wrong.” Previous article Escaped teens caught in Glades County Next article Car accident kills woman in Cape Coral
February 2, 2010 | Posted in
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