Events, things to do and opportunities to give back to our community in and around Bonita Springs PRSRT STD

Page 32 Southwest Spotlight May 2011 U.S. POSTAGE PAID

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Bonita Springs’ first and only
City Manager, Gary Price,
will leave his post in June.
By Peter R. O’Flinn
prof@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs – Fresh out
of graduate school in the
early 1970’s, with a master’s
degree in Urban Manage-
ment under his belt, young
Gary Price’s assignment for
Hillsborough County gov-
ernment required a trip to
very rural parts. Authorities
in Tallahassee had decreed
that no place in the state
should be left without zon-
ing, and Price’s job was to
spread the good word.
So, on a mid summer
night, Price, along with his
new assistant and a planner,
drove to the little town of
Wimauma – pronounced
“Why Mama,” located in
southeast Hillsborough
county.
“We had set up a meeting
with all of the good people
11 years later Artist of the
Month 15
Town Talk 9
there to explain what the
wonders of zoning were,”
recalled Price. “It was hot,
dark on the dirt roads, big
oak trees with moss hanging
all the way to the ground,
crickets cricking in the back-
ground.”
“I heard them Gift of music 10
talking about
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
lynching you and I Gary Price became Bonita Springs’ first City Manager in 2000. He will leave
his post in June.
thought it would be
better if I stayed Schwing named new city manager
close to the door”
By Peter R. O’Flinn Eleven years later, after serving under three
prof@swspotlight.com mayors, Price is retiring as leader of a well-
The meeting was held in
an old wooden building, Bonita Springs – When Gary Price became
respected team of employees serving a city
of 45,000 residents spread over 46 square Business Beat 27
where Price and the planner Bonita Springs’ first City Manager in 2000, miles.
addressed the crowd from the brand new city was not much more In late April, after a four-month selection
the front of the room. The
meeting dragged on; the hot
than lines on a map, and an idea. The idea process, city council members selected Carl Millions of
night grew hotter. The
was self-government for those then living
in “the right hand corner pocket of Lee
Schwing, currently assistant City Manager
for Cape Coral, to take Price’s place. meals 23
Continued on page 30 County,” as Mayor Ben Nelson Jr. puts it. Continued on page 18

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Page 2 Southwest Spotlight May 2011

28
May Features
10 The gift of music – Founded
in Bonita Springs in 2004,
Music for Minors and Dorothy
Friedenreich are giving back
to our community.
18 Schwing says – The words of
Bonita’s new city manager,
Carl Schwing.
23 Millions of meals – Hundreds
of volunteers will gather on

15 May 14 to pack one million

meals in one day.

Every Issue

Molinos’
VOTED ++++
5 Mayor Nelson’s 16 Opportunities
Column to give back
6 Up and Down 19 Sunset of the Month
the Trail
20 Bonita’s Best Friends
9 Town Talk
24 Events
#1 ITALIAN RISTORANTE 15 Artist of the Month
27 Bonita Business Beat
Peter Sargent

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May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 3
Page 4 Southwest Spotlight May 2011
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 5

just beyond your reach, inspect the trail conditions…

Horsing around
By Ben Nelson Jr.
info@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs – I was in
Tallahassee and noticed sev-
eral men in business suits
wearing cowboy boots. I
guess that’s ok..., but I’m
pretty sure that boots were
originally intended to be
worn while riding a horse.
And these guys certainly had
not ridden to the capital or
anywhere else for that mat-
ter. I suppose if you asked
them, they’d tell you the
boots were comfortable and
that they liked the way they
looked. Well… fair enough.
But I think it’s also a way to
pay homage to a particular
lifestyle or tradition. This
got me thinking about some
of the “old Florida tradi-
tions” that we hang on to
or even romanticize about
in connection with raising
cattle, which has been a way
of life for generations here
in Florida. As far as my family
goes, I suspect that the
“cracker cowboy” part of
our family tradition may
have ended with my father...
and here’s why.
I know that many of you
love horses and that’s just
fine by me. My mother loves
horses too. But me... not so
much. Although I am actu-
ally pretty good on horseback
and I’ve got a lot of experi-
ence with them, those ex-
periences have been laced
with some pretty painful in-
cidents.
My dad used to
stubbornly ride the
horse upside down
for a couple
of hundred feet.
I’ve been kicked, thrown
to the ground, head-butted,
bitten, stepped on and
scraped off on trees by these...
animals. Don’t get me
wrong, they are magnificent
and powerful creatures and
I really admire their stamina
and beauty, but unlike a re-
liable and blissfully mindless
Jeep or ATV, they have a
mind of their own. A mind
that delights in purposefully
and without warning jump-
ing sideways, leaving you
like a flipped coin on your
head, or on your tail, in the
palmettos. They then stay
pausing now and then to
taunt you... leaving you to
follow them like some kind
of sand spur covered horse
stalker.
They also demonstrate
this equestrian sense of hu-
mor when you’re saddling
them. One of their favorite
pranks is to simply stand on
one of your feet. They wait
until you’re distracted, ad-
justing the saddle, then they
casually side step pretending
not to notice as you flail
around, howling and shoving
uselessly on their thousand
pound bodies. They will
eventually let you go with
an amused snort, but only
so that they can set you up
for their next “bit.” As you
chinch up the saddle – while
standing on your one good
foot – they swell up their
belly so that despite all your
tugging and pulling and put-
ting your knee in their girth,
the saddle will only get as
tight as they want it to be.
The punch line generally
comes about 15 minutes into
the ride, when the horse ex-
hales and you spin around
upside down under his belly.
My dad used to stubbornly
ride the horse upside down
for a couple of hundred feet.
I suppose it was an attempt
Neil Nelson | Special to the Spotlight to prove to the horse that
This view has become a family tradition in the my dad had purposefully
Nelson family. swung around in order to
with his face.
Trail riding
is a great way
to experience
Florida.
To my relief, we sold our
last horse a long time ago,
but periodically I still some-
how get talked into going
trail riding. It’s actually some-
thing that many of you may
enjoy and it’s a great way to
experience Florida. The local
outfitters are very competent
and unlike me, they manage
to keep well trained horses.
But as my luck would have
it, on my last family trip out
west the outfitter had one
horse that had “behavioral
issues.” As she was carefully
matching up horses with rid-
ers, I quietly waited with my
arms crossed for the in-
evitable. “So are any of you
experienced riders?” Silence.
No one ever volunteers for
this kind of mission. Minutes
later, I threw my hands in
the air, finally surrendering
to fate. “OK, OK... go ahead
and put me on “Psycho.”
Fifteen minutes later, as I
rode upside down hanging
from Psycho’s belly, I stub-
bornly stayed in the saddle,
inspecting the trail with my
face. The family tradition
lives on.

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Page 6 Southwest Spotlight May 2011

DISCOVER SOUTHWEST
FLORIDA’S OLDEST ATTRACTION!
Up and Down the Trail
Staff Report vided at zero-percent interest. they provide.
info@swspotlight.com What Habitat for Humanity Barbara Purcell has been

$200 OFF
Bonita Springs – Residents
of Shadow Wood Country
Club recently held their 8th
annual Shadow Wood Golf
Tournament to raise funds
PER ADULT COUPLE or $1.00 for Habitat for Humanity
OFF EACH ADULT ADMISSION. of Lee and Hendry counties.
The evening banquet,
UP TO 6 ADULTS PER COUPON sponsored by FineMark
Spotlight
National Bank & Trust, in-
cluded both live and silent
auctions as well as a raffle
drawing for top prizes.
The community-wide event
raised more than $123,000,
providing funds for at least
two rehabilitated homes for
Habitat’s partnering families.
“So many of us pitched
in to make this happen be-
cause we believe in the Habi-
tat mission,” said Bill Lentz,
chairman of the event and
longtime member of Shadow
Wood Country Club. “The
families who live in Habitat
BEEN homes earn them through
T
BEA O THE
their hours of service in help-
THINKCH?... ing to build homes, the actual
VISIT AGA $1,200 in costs they pay at
THE N IN
EW! their mortgage closing, and
by staying current with their
mortgages, which are pro-
provides is really a hand up,
not a handout, and we’re
pleased to be part of the
effort that makes Habitat’s
work possible.”
Since 2003, Shadow Wood
residents have contributed
$960,000 to Habitat for Hu-
manity, enabling 17 families
to live the American dream
of homeownership.
“We are so grateful to our
Shadow Wood supporters,”
said Kitty Green, President
and CEO of Habitat for Hu-
manity of Lee and Hendry
counties. “They have worked
hard to get where they are in
life, and they’re now extending
a hand to help others attain
the American dream. Their
example is extraordinary.”
Barbara Purcell was
named the 2011 RSVP Out-
standing Volunteer Award
winner.
The Retired and Senior
Volunteer Program (RSVP)
is the only program in Lee
County, whose focus is on
recruiting and referring
RSVP volunteers where
they are needed, and recog-
nizing them for the service
a volunteer at the Bonita
Springs Area Chamber of
Commerce for three years.
With 20 volunteers, Barbara
was willing to step up and
helped fill in the Volunteer
Coordinator position. She
took over the duties of sched-
uling the volunteers, man-
aging new volunteer train-
ing/introductions, recruiting
new volunteers and manag-
ing the visitor’s center. She
makes sure all the volunteers
are happy, fills in for those
that are out of town and
continuously improves on
the information that is
distributed in the visitor’s
center.
“Barbara is always positive
and unwaveringly patient
with everyone she greets.
Her knowledge of Southwest
Florida is broad and when
necessary, Barbara goes the
extra mile to find the answer
if she doesn’t know. Barbara
epitomizes the welcoming
attitude that we are known
for here,” stated Christine
Ross, President and CEO of
the Bonita Springs Area
Chamber of Commerce.

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The Third Annual Amelia Earhart Luncheon, sponsored by the Zonta Club of
Bonita Springs, raised funds to support the Club’s scholarship fund and grants
promoting education of women. Faith Pearson, center front, a local veteran
pilot inspired by meeting Amelia Earhart, Susan Bulkeley Butler, left, author of
Women Count: A Guide to Changing the World and founder of her own Institute
for the Development of Women Leaders, and Stephanie Schmitz, center back,
the archivist of Amelia Earhart’s papers at Purdue University were the featured
speakers at the luncheon held at the Bonita Bay Club last month. Maggie Pe-
S.W.FLORIDA’S traits, right, Chair of the Club’s Financial Development Committee and co-chair
#1 FAMILY of the event. As a result of this annual affair, over the past two years the Club
has awarded substantial scholarships to two area women continuing their ed-
ATTRACTION ucation in math, science or business, fields that mirror those followed by Ms.
Earhart. The Club also awarded grants to several local non-profits working to
encourage and promote the education of local girls and women.
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 7

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May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 9

TOWN TALK
Giving back Help fill the pantry
The Bonita Blues Charitable Founda- Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
tion presented a check for $4,500
to the Bonita Springs Assistance Of-
fice last month. Proceeds from the
5th Annual Bonita Blues Festival
were also donated to the Music for
Minors Foundation and the Wound-
ed Warrior Project. From left: Kevin
Barry, Jennifer Barry, Letitia Santos,
Michael Pfeffer, Maribel Slabaugh, Bonita Assistance Office’s new headquarters
Credit: Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com Terry Pfeffer, Caroline Dunlap and just off Old U.S. 41 houses the largest food
Len Eckert. pantry in Bonita Springs. Donations can be
Memorial Day dropped off at 25300 Bernwood Dr., Unit 6,
next to the Lee Country Tax Collector.
Relay for Life
Logan Newell | info@swspotlight.com

Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com

The Relay for Life at the YMCA on Kent Road raised over $52,000 last month to support cancer re-
Memorial Day services at Riverside Park start at 9 a.m. on May 30. search. Next year the event will be held at Riverside Park.
Page 10 Southwest Spotlight
By Charles J.
The gift of music
to make sure children would teachers who taught her son,
Cavaliere have the opportunity to play Glenn, to study music.
an instrument if they so de- Music for Minors mission
info@swspotlight.com
sired. Her contribution to- is to enhance the lives of
Bonita Springs – A quick ward that goal was to create children by providing them
glance at Dorothy Frieden- in March 2004 a non-profit with the gift of musical in-
reich and you would think organization called Music struments. "Music," says
she is an ordinary person. for Minors, as an acknowl- Friedenreich, "is the language
She is anything but ordinary. edgement of the joy brought of their souls. It inspires
The Bonita Springs resident’s to her husband and herself them to do things, take a
love for music inspired her through the wonderful certain path in life, act a cer-
tain way. It helps make a
difference in the lives of the
students."
Music for Minors buys
musical instruments – vio-
lins, flutes, clarinets, trum-
pets, trombones, alto saxo-
phones, and percussion kits
– new, when possible, gen-
erally used when necessary,
from monies raised or do-
nated. To date, 159 instru-
ments have been given to
students.
These children would not
have the opportunity to learn
to read or play music or be
in the school's music pro-
gram without these instru-
ments. Young musicians who
Charles J. Cavaliere | info@swspotlight.com cannot afford to purchase a
Dorothy Friedenreich, in her Bonita Springs home, musical instrument, entering
stands next to photos of students that have bene- the seventh grade, ages 11
fited from the Music for Minors Foundation, which and 12, from both Lee and
she founded in 2004. Collier counties comprise
the student membership.
The Music for Minors
Foundation works closely
with string orchestra and
band teachers who identify
qualified students. Accept-
ance into the program is
based on the candidates’
submitting a written appli-
cation and writing an essay
about why they want to be-
come musicians. They must
provide background infor-
mation about their grades
and if accepted they must
maintain high grades in
school and continue in the
school's music program. Af-
ter reviewing their applica-
tions the Board of Directors
interviews each student in
the presence of a family
member or guardian.
Once accepted, the can-
didates are invited to a re-
ception, usually held in Cy-
press Lake Middle School,
Fort Myers or First Christian
Church of Naples in which
they are awarded an instru-
ment of their choice on a
"loan to own" basis.
Each year the students’
progress is appraised by the
Board to make sure they
continue to meet the Foun-
dation's requirements. The
Board evaluates academic
progress, participation in
school music programs and
overall academic achieve-
ment of the students. Finally,
when the four-year recerti-
fication process is completed,
they are awarded a diploma
to signify lifetime ownership
of an instrument.
"It is heartwarming for
us when we see the appreci-
ation from these qualified,
talented students, as well as
from their parents or
guardians," says Friedenreich.
Music for Minors helps bring
about a positive change in
the life of the students
through the gift of a musical
instrument. Music affords
them a path to self-fulfill-
ment, pride in accomplish-
ment and hope for the fu-
ture.
Many of the students have
become members of the All
County Bands and Orches-
tras in both Lee and Collier
counties, The Naples Phil-
harmonic Youth Symphony
Orchestra and also are in
Gifted School Programs and
Advanced Classes in their
respective schools.
May 2011
Music can build a path
to success. Nowhere is that
more evident than through
the efforts of Don Rhynard,
President of the Board. He
is the principal saxophonist
with the Naples Philhar-
monic Orchestra. He and
his directors work tirelessly
to continually evaluate the
effectiveness of the program,
to increase the capacity of
the Foundation, and to en-
sure optimum effectiveness
for its participants. "They
are a wonderful working
board, a great team who
have extreme interest in the
students and their musical
careers," Friedenreich said.
This year, Music for Mi-
nors was designated for the
second year in a row a Bonita
Blues Charitable Foundation
beneficiary. Students from
Music for Minors performed
at the Bonita Blues Festival
under the leadership of Au-
rora Wells, bassist with the
Naples Jazz Orchestra.
Through Music for Mi-
nors, Friedenreich and her
dedicated team of volunteers
have made a difference in
the lives of many children
in our community.
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 11

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Page 12 Southwest Spotlight May 2011

TOWN TALK
Save the dates Happy
anniversary
Phyllis Ayers and Terri
Johnson were busy
stacking the subs high
last month at Stan’s
Super Subs in Bonita
Springs. Mike Augus-
tine, owner of Stan’s, is
celebrating one year of
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
ownership of the sub
shop on Old U.S. 41 in
David Michael | info@swspotlight.com Bonita Springs.

Tracey Drakos, Membership Guys Night Out

Chair, and Pam Olsen, Pres-
ident of the Bonita Estero for Charity May 10
Association of Realtors, at a David Michael | info@swspotlight.com
recent 5 o’clock somewhere
networking event. B.E.A.R.
is holding a Chinese Auc-
tion on May 3 at the Vil-
lages at Country Creek to
raise funds for the Boys and
Girls Clubs. B.E.A.R.’s 20th
annual charity golf chal-
lenge is set for June 3 at
Miromar Lakes Beach &
Golf Club and will benefit
Habitat for Humanity of Lee Chris Levy, Eric Solomon and Darrell Brown at the
County and the B.E.A.R. Guy’s Night Out for Charity in February. The event
charity foundation. raised $4,000 for Boys and Girls Clubs of Lee
County. This month’s event will raise funds to sup-
port the YMCA on Kent Road in Bonita Springs.
For more information, turn to page 16.
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 13

TOWN TALK
Celebrate Bonita

Jose Lopez and John Spear had a

great time celebrating our city’s birth-
day at Celebrate Bonita.

Mayor Ben Nelson was busy serving

beer at Celebrate Bonita last month.
All proceeds from beer sales benefitted
the Bonita Springs Assistance Office.

Staff Photos | info@swspotlight.com

Don’t tread
on me!
This photo was taken
inches from Barefoot
Beach Boulevard. Look
for Gopher Tortoises
under your car before
you back out your car
at the beach.
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
Bonita Beach is a great place to see wildlife.
Page 14 Southwest Spotlight May 2011

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May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 15

Bringing out the personality

By Meghan Easterly
info@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs – Walking
into the studio of artist Peter
Sargent, guests see a wall
filled with personality. De-
tailed graphite drawings of
giraffes, zebras, dogs and
children stare out from be-
hind framed glass. Each
drawing consists of clean
shades of black and grey
composed on white paper.
Each subject is so true to
life, that you could almost
feel the texture of the alliga-
tor’s skin, or hear the giraffe
chewing the plants in its
mouth.
Artist of the Month: Peter Sargent
Sargent sits at a table
drawing a portrait of a dog,
using a photograph as ref-
erence. Looking between the
drawing and the photograph,
the dog seems to have much
more character and person-
ality in the pencil drawing.
“The drawings have
more life to them than the
photographs,” Sargent says.
“You get such expression in
the eyes. I’m working very
hard to bring out the per-
sonality.”
The drawings are incred-
ibly detailed and expressive,
with each subject caught in
a moment in time.
“My favorite medium is
pencil; I like the feel of pen-
cil,” Sargent says. “With ink
it is black or white. With
pencil you have shades of
grey.”
Sargent is no stranger to
detailed drawing techniques.
He had an architectural prac-
tice in London for 20 years
and was a specialist in the
leisure business. He designed
sports centers, theme parks,
hotels, extravagant pools and
similar projects and had a
firm of 60 people working
with him.
When he retired and
moved to Florida with his
wife Sharon, he began draw-
ing for enjoyment.
“With ink it is black
or white.
With pencil you
have shades of grey.”
are not drawing the same
thing all the time.”
Sargent also works in col-
ored pencil and, in complete
contrast, he carves wood. In
his studio at the Promenade
his abstract, natural, wood
carvings are displayed in the
window and his drawings
line the walls.
“As an architect you draw
to express yourself, but you
Peter Sargent | Special to the Spotlight

“I drew like this

before I became an
architect, and you
don’t forget; it’s like
riding a bike.”
“I drew like this before I
became an architect, and
you don’t forget; it’s like rid-
ing a bike,” Sargent says.
When Sargent began
drawing for enjoyment, he
said he did not think of sell-
ing anything. His wife urged
him to consider commis-
sioning and selling his work.
He began drawing houses
and found that many realtors
liked to commission him to
draw houses they had just
sold to give to the new own-
ers as gifts.
Houses led to pets and
children and now Sargent
does a mix of commission
work and also creates his
own drawings to sell on his
Web site and in his studio
at the Center for the Arts
Artist Studios at the Prom-
Meghan Easterly | info@swspotlight.com enade.
Peter Sargent’s favorite medium is pencil. His work “I love the dogs and the
can be seen at his studio at The Promenade at children, they are all so dif-
Bonita Bay, space 138 ferent,” Sargent says. “You
are also working in 3D,” Sar-
gent says. “Wood is a won-
derful material to carve in,
it is softer and easier to con-
trol than stone.”
The artist says when look-
ing for a piece of wood to
create a sculpture from, he
looks for a nice grain and a
nice color.
As he sits in his studio,
the sound from the outdoor
waterfalls drifts in, creating
a calm environment. He has
been working in his studio
at The Promenade for 18
months.
Peter Sargent | Special to the Spotlight
“I really enjoy being here,
it is a terrific environment
and a quiet place to work,”
Sargent says. “You don’t
mind being interrupted be-
cause people are coming in
to buy your work.”
He says that a lot of his
profit comes from commis-
sion work, but he enjoys cre-
ating his own pieces.
“As an artist you always
have to decide if you want
to do things to sell them
or to express yourself; you
do commercial, or you do
what is inside of you,” Sar-
Peter Sargent | Special to the Spotlight
This portrait of Blue was
drawn by Peter Sargent.
Blue lives in Bonita
Springs with his owners
Max and Dorota Harris,
writers of the Bonita’s
Best Friends column.
gent says. “It is a much more
pleasurable thing to do
what is inside of you. I enjoy
my art.”
Sargent’s work can be
seen at his studio at The
Promenade at Bonita Bay,
space 138 or on his web-
site at www.peter-sargent-
art.com.

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Page 16 Southwest Spotlight
Opportunities
to give back
Staff Report
info@swspotlight.com
Saint Vincent de Paul
Thrift Stores
With locations in Naples and
Bonita Springs, St. Vincent
de Paul’s thrift stores are well
stocked with a wonderful
variety of household items,
including clothing and
furniture that have been do-
nated for distribution. Vol-
unteer caseworkers give many
items freely to those in need.
Funds raised through sales
to the public support financial
assistance to pay bills for the
needy. Over 200 volunteers
serve the society in the thrift
stores. Call 239-775-1667 if
you would like to volunteer.
Peanut Butter & Jelly
The Bonita Estero Association
of Realtors is collecting
peanut butter, jelly and zip-
lock bags for the Bonita As-
sistance Office this month.
Donations can be dropped
off at the B.E.A.R. offices
at 25300 Bernwood Drive
off Old 41 Rd., next to the
Lee County Tax Collector.
B.E.A.R. is also collecting
books for the VA clinic.
Saint Matthew’s House
Since 1987, St. Matthew's
House and Immokalee
Friendship House have pro-
vided housing, spiritual sup-
port and structured recovery
programs for the homeless
in Collier County. St.
Matthew’s House is more
than a housing recovery cen-
ter. It also helps those who
have a home, but are living
paycheck to paycheck, often
at or below poverty level. To
this end, St. Matthew’s House
has two food pantries stocked
with nonperishable grocery
items generously donated by
local businesses, churches,
supermarkets and individ-
uals. For more information
of becoming a volunteer
email Kerri Sparks at kerri@
stmatthewshouse.org or call
239-774-050.
YMCA of the Palms
The YMCA of the Palms
wouldn't be able to offer qual-
ity programs, provide excel-
lent service or build strong
kids, strong families and
strong communities without
its dedicated, gifted and gen-
erous volunteers. Volunteers’
roles are as varied as sup-
porting community pro-
grams, greeting members and
participants, coaching and
watching over children. For
more information call 239-
597-3148, or email info@
ymcapalms.org.
Literacy Council
of Bonita Springs
The Literacy Council provides
free English instruction in
reading and writing for adult
speakers of other languages.
A Moms and Tots Family
Literacy program for mothers
and their young children is
also available. Additionally,
work-site literacy programs
are offered at 17 local golf/gat-
ed communities. Volunteers
May 2011
can provide valuable assis-
tance no matter how little
time they have to give. For
more information, email
bonitaliteracy@comast.net,
or call 239-676-5202.
Liberty Youth Ranch
Liberty Youth Ranch is a
long-term children's residen-
tial group home for Florida's
orphaned, abused, aban-
doned, neglected, and home-
less children, designed to en-
sure each child's education
and eventual high school
graduation with a strong em-
phasis being placed on the
uniqueness and inherent
worth of each child. The
Ranch depends on hundreds
of volunteers each year. For
more information on be-
coming a volunteer, call
Ruth Martin, Executive
Administrator at 239-597-
7070, or email at ruth@
libertyyouthranch.org.
Harry Chapin Food Bank
The food bank depends on
volunteers who help distrib-
ute millions of pounds of
food throughout southwest
Florida. During regular
weekday business hours and
most Saturdays, volunteers
help the warehouse team
prepare orders for agencies,
receive incoming donations,
or answer telephones. The
food bank also needs help
at festivals, shows, fairs,
walks, and food drives. Spon-
sored activities and food and
fund drives are vital to the
growth and sustainability
of the food bank and so are
you. To volunteer, email
Marta Hodson at martah-
odson@harrychapinfood-
bank.org. This e-mail address
is being protected from
spambots. You need Java-
Script enabled to view it or
call 334-7007.
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 17

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Page 18 Southwest Spotlight May 2011

Schwing “His actions and discourse are always re-

from page 1
“I am humbled by the
vote of confidence,” Schwing
told the council. “I very
much look forward to the
opportunity to work with
all of you and the residents
of Bonita Springs. I am very
excited.”
Schwing’s appointment
will await negotiation of an
employment contract. He
has indicated a salary request
of $149,000 to $165,000, de-
pending on compensation
package components.
“I am humbled
by the vote of
confidence”
– Carl Schwing
Schwing was one of four
final candidates, culled from
an initial qualifying field
of over 70. The other finalists
were Issac Turner, former
Venice City Manager, Bruce
Loucks, City Manager for
Cooper City (near Fort
Lauderdale) and John
McCue, former City Man-
ager of Orange City (near
spectful, courteous, truthful and direct.”
Deltona).
“These four gentlemen
are our invited guests,” said
Mayor Nelson prior to public
comment. “They are pro-
fessional people, good per-
sons; they come from won-
derful communities.” Each
council member personally
welcomed each candidate to
Bonita Springs, and thanked
them for their interest.
Council members inter-
viewed the candidates se-
quentially in a marathon
session stretching over five
hours at City Hall on April
19. Each candidate answered
twenty identical questions,
covering ethics, management
style, land use, the environ-
ment, economic develop-
ment, council-manager is-
sues and personal interests.
After a public candidate
meet and greet at the Trianon
Hotel that evening, council
members reconvened the
next morning to hear public
comment and rank their
choices by paper ballot.
Schwing was chosen after
Meg Weiss, who coordinated
the selection process, report-
ed that five of seven mem-
bers had selected him, with
the other two members plac-
ing him as second choice.
After receiving the conclusive
results, council members dis-
carded the notion, briefly
discussed, of additional in-
terviews for the two top vote
getters. Turner received the
other two first place votes.
Schwing has over 25 years
of public service experience,
starting in Missouri. He
moved to Florida in 1997,
and has served Cape Coral
since 2002. Self assured and
comfortable in discussing a
range of issues with council
members, he also displayed
the “congenial and friendly
demeanor” described by four
Cape Coral Charter School
Authority executives in a let-
ter to the city.
“We have never heard of
Mr. Schwing raising his voice
in any setting, nor ever
casting a condescending
comment towards anyone,”
they said. “His actions and
discourse are always respect-
ful, courteous, truthful
and direct.”

Schwing says
Staff Report
info@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs – Carl Schwing expressed
his views on various topics during an
hour-long interview with Bonita Springs
City Council prior to being selected as
Bonita’s new City Manager.
On achieving goals: “Successes are most
often accomplished by people working to-
gether toward common causes. That relies
on relationships built on mutual respect,
honesty, trust and collaboration.”
On relationship with City Council: “I
think it is inappropriate for staff to be in
the public policy making arena. We can
make public policy recommendations to
you, and do it in a respectful manner. It is
your choice what to do with that. It is
staff’s responsibility to follow those direc-
tives, regardless of what our individual
professional feelings might be.”
On relationship with staff: “I am here to
help them get barriers out of the way so
that we can make their job easier and
more effective as we all serve a common
cause of serving our residents each and
very day.”
On relationship with residents: “I enjoy
being out in the public. There are people
out there that have a variety of different
views. You may not always agree with
those views, but those good ideas come
from everybody and you just never know
when you are going to miss one if you are
not out there communicating.”
On economic development: “You ought
to reach out wherever you can to make
contacts and partnerships so that everybody
understands very clearly the seriousness
with which Bonita Springs takes economic
development. People want to be part of a
successful story, and Bonita Springs is
building a successful story right now.”
On quality of life: “You need to make
sure that your community continues to
be a city where people would want to
come. Quality of life is very important.
You need to provide recreational oppor-
tunities and amenities that will attract
folks.”
On what is most important for the city’s
long-term success: “Protection of envi-
ronmental resources, because that goes
directly to quality of life, especially as you
have water going into the Imperial River.”
On washing dirty linen: “I don’t believe
that open clashing between staff and council
members is healthy for the community
and I don’t think it sends the right signal,
especially for those folks that we would
love to come to our city.”
On favorite historical figure: “Abraham
Lincoln, a man who stood up and did the
right thing with regards to ‘all men are
created equal.’ He is man who spoke his
heart and was a great leader.”
On personal beliefs: “I am a man of faith,
and I pray every day that my words and
deeds always reflect that.”
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 19

Sunset
of the
month
Want to see your sunset
photos in the Spotlight?
Email your best photos
to info@swspotlight.com
and your photo could
be the next sunset shot
of the month.

Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com

The Southwest
Spotlight is mailed
to 12,000 homes
each month.
Pick up a copy at:
• The Survey Café • Stan’s Super Subs
• Dolly’s Produce Patch & Eatery
• Buffalo Chips Restaurant • Bonita Springs Library
• The Fish House Restaurant
• Bonita Olde Country Kitchen
• Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce
• Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grille
• Bonita Springs Recreation Center
• The Center for the Arts
• Bay Water Boat Club • Brewista Coffee House
• Bonita Springs City Hall
• Bonita Estero Association of Realtors
Page 20 Southwest Spotlight May 2011

The myth of the dominant dog

By Max Harris and
Dorota Harris
Bonita’s Best Friends
Bonita Springs – We failed
again to write about rescue
greyhounds, because the
owners we know have gone
north. So if you have a grey-
hound you would like us to
feature, please contact Spot-
light!
We will discuss instead
some new thinking on dog
behavior. In particular, some
researchers now doubt the
concept of the dominant, or
“alpha,” dog.
We know that the do-
mestic dog evolved from
wild wolves, so wolf behavior
should help explain how
dogs behave. The dominant
dog concept grew from ob-
serving wolves in captivity,
where a hierarchy, or natural
“pecking order,” seemed to
exist. But many captive packs
comprise animals who were
initially strangers to one an-
other, and studying them
may be misleading.
Researchers say that wild
wolf packs are based on fam-
ily units. Dominance does
not come because of a dom-
inant trait, but simply be-
cause parents tell their off-
spring what to do. And when
the offspring grow up, they
leave the pack to begin their
own lives. There is little ten-
sion within the pack, and
little need for dominant be-
havior … so training a dog
by asserting the owner’s
dominance – for example,
by always walking through
a door first – may begin
from a wrong starting-point.
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
The Estero Dog Park off
Corkscrew Road is a
great place to take
your dog without a
leash. Say hi to Mitzee
the next time you’re at
the park.
For centuries dogs have
been observing humans, and
adapting their behavior to
achieve the best results. For
example, they are unique in
that they understand the hu-
man gesture of pointing. A
dog can find a hidden object
by following a human’s
pointing finger. No other
animal, including wolves and
chimpanzees, can do that.
For centuries
dogs have been
observing humans
A famous experiment in-
volved placing food in a con-
tainer which it was impossible
to open. Wolves continue in-
definitely trying to accom-
plish the impossible. A dog
quickly gives up, and waits
for the human experimenter
to solve the problem.
We complicate things
more by ascribing human
traits to dogs. If we come
home and the dog has eaten
a shoe, we shout and the
dog looks guilty. But he isn’t
really feeling guilty. Experi-
ments show that the dog re-
sponds the same way even
when he has done nothing.
He is not feeling guilt, he is
just reacting to being shouted
at in the way that he has
learned humans expect.
An example to under-
stand how focused dogs are
on people is provided by Pa-
tricia McConnell, who wrote
an excellent book, The Other
End of the Leash. She con-
siders what happens when
two dogs, each walking on a
leash with its owner, meet
one another. Dog-owners
often consider this a fraught
and unpredictable situation,
and worry about the dogs’
reactions. McConnell warns
that your dog is not looking
at the approaching dog, but
at the approaching package,
comprising dog plus owner.
And if the owner is exhibiting
nervousness, or alarm, your
dog will read those signs im-
mediately, just as he will read
your reactions . . . so the
outcome of the meeting de-
pends as much on the own-
ers as the dogs.
The bottom line for your
relationship with your dog
is this – remember he may
know more about human
behavior than you think!

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May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 21

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Page 22 Southwest Spotlight May 2011
May 2011
Millions of meals
By Peter A. O’Flinn
peter@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs – Over 10.5
million meals have been
packed and distributed to the
needy since Steve Popper
founded Meals of Hope in
2007, and on May 14, hun-
dreds of volunteers will gather
at three locations to pack one
million meals in one day.
“We’ve always felt that the
demand for food assistance
here is so great,” said Steve
Popper, Executive Director
of Meals of Hope. “Charity
begins at home.”
Formerly known as Kids
Against Hunger of Southwest
Florida, the organization re-
cently changed its name to
Meals of Hope. Kids Against
Hunger is a Minnesota-based
humanitarian food-aid or-
ganization that distributes
most of its food to those in
need around the world. While
Meals of Hope has shipped
food to Haiti, the vast ma-
jority of the food stays in
Southwest Florida.
In the summer of 2007,
Popper went to civic organi-
zations and churches to de-
scribe a packing event.
“We had our first one in
August of 2007 and we
packed 135,000 meals.” About
400 people came to Naples
“We’ve had people from 5 to 96 participate.
I don’t know of any other volunteer
opportunity that is so inclusive.”
District Governor of Rotary District 6960.
High School to volunteer.
Since then, over 30,000 vol-
unteers have helped pack an
astounding number of meals.
Goals were set for the first
year after the first event. “We
had a goal of one million
meals and we packed two
million,” said Popper. “Since
our inception we have packed
10.5 million meals.”
The Million Meal Packing
Event is a partnership with
Rotary District 6960, Meals
of Hope and anyone that
wants to alleviate hunger in
our community.
“This is the first time the
million meal packing has ever
taken place,” said Don
Thomas, District Governor
Southwest Spotlight
of Rotary District 6960.
The project will take place
at the end of the school year
because of the rising need
for food. The summer is a
– Don Thomas,
challenging time for many
local food banks as need in-
creases and donations de-
crease. “71 percent of our
students are on free or re-
duced (price) meals at
school,” said Thomas. The
free and reduced price break-
fast and lunch programs take
summer break along with
the students. “It’s my under-
standing that this will just
barely get us through the
summer time. A million
meals seems like a lot, but it
really isn’t.”
Volunteers will package
the meals at Naples High
School, Harborside Conven-
tion Center in Fort Myers,
and Riverview High School
in Sarasota. All of the meals
will stay in Southwest Florida.
“It’s a hands-on, interac-
tive volunteer opportunity
that is open to kids of all
ages,” said Thomas. “We’ve
had people from 5 to 96 par-
ticipate. I don’t know of any
other volunteer opportunity
that is so inclusive.”
Popper worked with nu-
trition experts to develop the
meals. One of the meals is a
fortified bean and rice casse-
role comprised of soy protein,
rice, precooked dried beans,
21 vitamins and minerals
and 6 dried vegetables. An-
other meal was developed
Page 23
Contributed | info@swspotlight.com
Volunteers package meals at a recent Meals of Hope
packing event. Hundreds of volunteers will gather on
May 14 to pack one million meals in one day.
this fall. The new fortified and the One Million Meal
macaroni and cheese meal Project, go to massiverotary-
provides 12 grams of protein action.com.
in each serving and has been
very well received. It has soy
protein, 21 different vitamins
How you can help…
and minerals and, of course,
macaroni and cheese sauce.
“It’s actually as nutritious as When: May 14, 8:30 a.m. to
the fortified bean and rice 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to
casserole,” said Popper. “Our 12:30 p.m.
cost typically runs about 18
Where: Naples High School
cents a meal. It’s extremely
cost efficient.” Fort Myers
After the packing on May Harborside Convention Center
14, the meals will be distrib- Sarasota
uted to those in need. “We Riverview High School
utilize the Harry Chapin Food
Bank as our primary distri- To register: Go to
bution who gives the food massiverotaryaction.com.
away free of charge to about Donations: Accepted at
170 agencies in Southwest massiverotaryaction.com.
Florida,” said Popper.
To help Meals of Hope
Page 24 Southwest Spotlight May 2011

Ristorante Fundraisers
EVENTS Student Showcase Live at the Promenade
Fri., May 6, 6 to 8 p.m. Thurs., May 19, 7 p.m.
Chinese Auction Each year area high school Join the cast of Naples City

Enrico Tues., May 3, 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The Bonita Estero Association
of Realtors is holding a Chi-
nese Auction to benefit Boys
& Girls Clubs of Lee County.
Where: Villages at Country
Creek. For more information,
call 239-992-6771.
Kentucky Derby Party
26831 Tamiami Trail S. Sat., May 7, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
This fun-filled evening at
off West Terry Street
the Hyatt Regency Coconut
Point Resort and Spa will
(239) 949-2204 feature appetizers, a hat con-
test – for men and women
students exhibit their art-
work at the Center for the
Arts. During the opening
reception college tuition
scholarships will be given
to several students who have
shown extraordinary talent
and achievement with their
pieces. For information, call
239-495-8989 or go to
www.artcenterbonita.org.
Cost: Free.
Fri., May 20, 6 to 8 p.m.
Area middle school students
will exhibit work that they
have created in their art
classes at school and at the
Center for the Arts.
Fri., May 27, 6 to 8 p.m.
Area elementary school stu-
dents will exhibit work that
they have created in their
art classes at school and at
the Center for the Arts
Improv, featuring the Center
for the Arts’ Performing Arts
Director Craig Price, for a
night of fast-paced improv
comedy theatre based on
audience suggestions. Get
involved by offering sugges-
tions, sit back and enjoy the
laughs, or do both. Where:
Promenade at Bonita Bay
Cost: $25 members/ $30
non-members. For more in-
formation, call the Center
for the Arts of Bonita Springs
at 239-495-8989.
Memorial Day
Mon., May 30, 9 a.m.
The Memorial Day Service
will start at 9 a.m. at River-
side Park.

Mon-Sat 10-10, Sun 11-10 – games of chance, cash bar

Three years in the same location
and a live broadcast of the
Kentucky Derby. Proceeds
benefit the President’s Club
Student Scholarship Fund
as well as provide supple-
mental support to Chamber
programs. During the party,
the Beach Bucket for Schol-
ars raffle winner will be an-
nounced. Cost: $85. For
more information, contact
the Bonita Springs Area
Chamber of Commerce at
239-992-2943.
Guys Night Out
for Charity
Tues., May 10, 6 to 9 p.m.
The guys raised $4,000 in
February to support the Boys
and Girls Clubs. This month,
the YMCA will be the ben-
eficiary of Guys Night Out
for Charity. Where: World
Famous Cigar Bar, Gulf
Coast Town Center. Cost:
$40. To register, go to
http://tiny.cc/guysnightout.
Turn to page 16 for more
information.
Arts and Entertainment
Extreme skiing
Sundays, 4 p.m.
The Southern Extreme Wa-
ter Ski Show Team performs
every Sunday at the Miromar
Outlets. For more informa-
tion about the show, go to
swspotlight.com and read
story on page 11 of our April
issue. Cost: Free.
Films for Film Lovers
Mon., May 9, 7 p.m.
The Center for the Arts Film
Society presents the final
film in its Films for Film
Lovers series. The Last Sta-
tion will be shown this
month. Where: Promenade
at Bonita Bay. Cost: $8. For
more information, call the
Center for the Arts of Bonita
Springs at 239-495-8989.
Youth theater
Fri., May 13, 7 p.m.
Sat., May 14, 3 & 7 p.m.
“Not-So-Grimm-Tales” by
Kevin Bean, performed by
the Youth Theater Depart-
ment of the Center for the Meetings
Arts. This is a hilarious
tongue-in-cheek retelling of Come watch the action
the classic Grimm fairy tales. live and in person
A mother sits down with Wed., May 4, 5:30 p.m.
her daughter and tells her Wed., May 18, 9 a.m.
new, more modern and Bonita Springs City Council
empowering versions of Where: Council Chambers,
some of the classics. Little 9101 Bonita Beach Rd. For
Red is an animal rights ac- more information, call 239-
tivist and vegetarian who 949-6262.
saves the wolf from the
Woodsman. Snow White
unionizes the dwarves and
overthrows her beauty pag-
eant loving stepmother.
Where: Promenade at Bonita
Bay. Cost: $3 children, $5 Town Charm.
Small Town
adults. For more informa- Big Bright Future.
tion, call the Center for the
Arts of Bonita Springs at All dates, times and prices
239-495-8989. are subject to change.
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 25

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May 2011
Staff Report
info@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs – Rib City
is coming to Estero this
month. The family-owned
barbecue chain, founded in
Fort Myers in 1989, has pur-
chased the building formerly
occupied by Arizona Pizza
at 10431 Corkscrew Com-
mons Drive.
“The Rib City brand has
weathered the downturn in
the economy very well,” said
Craig Peden, Rib City
President.
Peden said the company
plans on making cosmetic
changes to the facility which
was built in 2006 including
new interior paint and décor,
replacing booths, tables and
chairs as well as exterior
paint and signage.
Websites
Two local businesses have
recently launched new web-
sites.
David Di Martino,
of David Michael Photog-
raphy, specializes in wed-
dings, portraiture, families,
events, modeling, pets, prod-
uct, and real estate through-
out Southwest Florida.
The 2009 Bonita Chamber
Southwest Spotlight Page 27
Bonita Business Beat
Small Business Member
of the Year’s website is
davidmichaelphotography.net.
Life Coach and Business
Consultant Mary Lynn
Ziemer, founder and CEO
of Living A Joyful Life, also
announced the launch of
her new, updated website,
livingajoyfullifenow.com.
“It is important for those
seeking information about
life coaching, consulting, or
community events to have
a resource that provides de-
tailed information that is
easy to navigate. This site Stephanie Kissinger | info@swspotlight.com
can be utilized as an educa- Philip Rice, owner of PRR Computers, cuts the ribbon last month at Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Com-
tional tool, providing a deep- merce. PRR Computers provides onsite services and repairs from Fort Myers to Naples.
er insight into the services
available to them, as well as wanted items quickly. Chamber of Commerce cel- the opening of its new offices Road in Bonita Springs; call
better understanding of the “We are extremely happy ebrated several ribbon cut- at 27200 Riverview Center the Chamber at 239-992-
philosophies behind Living about this award. We strive tings recently. Boulevard last month. 2943 to register.
A Joyful Life,” said Ziemer. to offer a very robust website, My Kitchen Design Dr. James Croley cele- The Young Professionals
In other website news, with content that is updated Studio, located at 28380 Old brated the re-opening of are holding their monthly,
the Florida Library Associ- daily. We actually think of U.S. 41, Suite 5 in Bonita Cataract & Refractive free networking event on
ation has announced the the website as another Springs, offers complete de- Institute of Florida last May 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Stevie
Lee County Library System branch of the library system sign services. The Jones fam- month at 4061 Bonita Beach Tomato’s at 25271 Chamber
as the winner of the Public - the E-Branch! I hope more ily was on hand to celebrate Road. of Commerce Drive; regis-
Library Website Award for Lee County residents will the ribbon cutting. tration is not required.
creation of an appealing, log on to the website and PRR Computers special- Networking The Hispanic Chamber
functional, and flexible Web dig deep. There is so much izes in budget-conscious so- The Bonita Springs Area of Commerce is holding its
experience that makes good there,” said Lee County lutions for home and small Chamber of Commerce is monthly Bonita Springs net-
use of resources and staff. Library System Director, business users. PRR Com- holding its monthly Business working luncheon on May
The site uses sub-sites di- Sheldon Kaye. puters provides onsite serv- After Hours event on May 11 at 11:30 am at Señor Ten-
rected toward specific audi- ices and repairs from Fort 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Naples- quila’s at 26801 S. Tamiami
ences and a home page that Ribbon Cuttings Myers to Naples. Fort Myers Greyhound Trail. Lunch is $16, registra-
allows users to reach most- The Bonita Springs Area Bank United celebrated Track at 10601 Bonita Beach tion is not required.
Page 28 Southwest Spotlight
Bonita Springs Water
Conservation Ordinance
Staff Report
info@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs – The City
of Bonita Springs supple-
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
It must be after 5 p.m. Landscape irrigation is pro-
hibited in Bonita Springs every day between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m.
ments the provisions of
Chapter 40E-24, Florida
Administrative Code, as fol-
lows: Landscape irrigation
shall be prohibited daily be-
May 2011
tween the hours of 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m.
Watering Options, Modi-
fied Phase II Landscape Ir-
rigation
Users may irrigate only
two days.
When can I water the lawn
in Bonita Springs?
Odd-numbered street ad-
dress may water lawns and
landscapes on Wednesdays
and Saturdays, midnight un-
til 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
until midnight.
Even-numbered street ad-
dress, no street address or
those that irrigate both even
and odd addresses within
the same zones, which may
include multi-family units
and homeowners associa-
tions, may water lawns and
landscapes on Thursdays
and Sundays, midnight until
9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. until
midnight.
When can I water my newly
planted landscaping and
sod?
less than five acres in size
1 to 30 days: from 2 a.m.
to 8 a.m., Mondays, Tues-
days, Wednesdays, Thurs-
days, Saturdays and Sun-
days.
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 29

31 to 60 days: from 2 However, a voluntary re- system except when specif-

a.m. to 8 a.m., Mondays,
Wednesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays.
more than five acres
1 to 30 days: 12:01 a.m.
to 8 a.m., Mondays, Tues-
days, Wednesdays, Thurs-
days, Saturdays and Sun-
days.
31 to 60 days: from 12:01
a.m. to 8 a.m., Mondays,
Wednesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays.
These rules permit new
landscape watering only.
Homeowners should keep
documentation on any new
landscaping, such as a dated
receipt of purchase, in case
they are required to provide
proof of the installation date.
Irrigation is not permitted
on Fridays.
Can I hand-water my lawn?
Yes. You can hand water
stressed plants for 10 min-
utes per day using a single
hose with an attached au-
tomatic shutoff nozzle.
What other low-volume
watering methods are
allowed?
Persons using a low vol-
ume irrigation system will
be allowed to water seven
days a week except during
the hours between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. Drip, bubble and
micro-jet systems that apply
water directly to root plant
zones may be used any time.
duction in use is encouraged
and any low-volume system
should not produce water
runoff. Watering cans are
also low-volume and can be
used anytime.
When can I wash my car
or boat?
Anytime. Vehicle washing
is not restricted. When wash-
ing a car, best water conser-
vation practices are to park
it over a non-paved or
porous surface to limit water
runoff, and always attach
an automatic shut-off nozzle
to your hose. Best water
conservation practices are
to limit boat rinsing to 15
minutes after it has been in
saltwater.
When can I use a pressure
washer?
Anytime. Pressure wash-
ing is not restricted. Best
water conservation practices
are to use low-volume equip-
ment that produces water
pressure of 1,000 pounds
per square inch to 4,000
pounds per square inch.
Channel runoff water onto
the grass or another non-
paved surface.
At restaurants, just ask.
All restaurants within the
City of Bonita Springs are
prohibited from serving wa-
ter to any customer from
any public or private well,
water supply, or distribution
ically requested by the cus-
tomer.
Is there some way I can get
permission to change my
watering day or times?
Yes. You may apply for a
variance from water restric-
tions by contacting South
Florida Water Management
District. However, you must
demonstrate a hardship in
complying with the restric-
tions and certify that you
will implement an alterna-
tive method for achieving
the target cutbacks. The ap-
plication form, and the in-
struction form are online.
Your application will be re-
viewed by South Florida
Water Management District
staff, and approval or denial
is based on criteria listed in
the Water Shortage Plan
Rule. For more information,
visit www. sfwmd.gov or call
800-432-2045.
What happens if I don’t
follow these restrictions?
Any irrigation performed
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. will
be subject to fines. Irrigation
during these hours wilts
sod and plants and wastes
water through evaporation.
Water restrictions are
mandatory and will be en-
forced by local government
through law enforcement or
zoning and code enforce-
ment agencies.

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Page 30
Price
from page 1
reception was less than pos-
itive. Price repeatedly mo-
tioned to his assistant to join
the table at the front of the
room, but he remained
camped in the last row.
The meeting ended, and
Price walked back to his as-
sistant. “Why didn’t you
come up when I motioned
you to come up,” he asked.
“Well, I was going to,” replied
the assistant, “but then I
heard them talking about
lynching you and I thought
it would be better if I stayed
close to the door.”
One hundred miles, forty
years and a lifetime of change
separate Price’s first job and
his current position as Bonita
Springs’ first and only City
Manager, a post he will leave
in early June.
During the recession of
1970, Price worked as a fur-
niture mover after graduating
the University of South Flori-
da in Tampa. After spotting
an ad, he became assistant
director of building, zoning
and engineering in the town
of Temple Terrace, a suburb
of Tampa. There, with his
chair shoved up to a desk
facing his boss, came a crash
course in permitting, inspec-
tion, and maintenance of
sewers, water collection sys-
tems, buildings and golf
courses.
“It kind of clicked,” said
Price. “My dad was a me-
chanic, so I guess I got some
of his skill. I am not the
most mechanically in-
clined…but I know how
things work.” Promotion
came quickly, as assistant
public works director and
as chaperone to his new boss,
who hailed from Philadel-
phia. “I don’t trust this guy
Southwest Spotlight
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
to be out there by himself,”
the town manager explained.
Price and his new boss be-
came lifelong friends.
After another promotion,
and the Hillsborough County
job (and Wimauma), a call
came from the city manager
for Sanibel, a very “special
and environmentally sensi-
tive place,” said Price. He
flew to the old Page Field in
Fort Myers where, he re-
members, the baggage claim
was “two lines painted on
the tarmac where they would
line your bags up.”
Price served the City of
Sanibel for twenty years, and
as City Manager for the last
fourteen until “the commu-
nity changed, and I changed.”
He retired as Sanibel City
Manager on January 3, 1999.
So when Gary Price be-
came City Manager of Bonita
Springs in the spring of 2000,
he had almost thirty years
of public service experience.
Nevertheless it was a chal-
lenge. It wasn’t just a new
job; it was a brand new city,
just incorporated.
“For the first month or
so, we were working out of
the back of Mayor Paul Pass’s
Expedition using our own
cellphones,” said Price.
“There was one office supply
place. Paul and I went in the
door. We sort of stood there
and looked at each other be-
cause we realized we needed
just about everything in the
place. We did not have a
pencil. He went one way and
I went the other. We met at
the door. We had to use our
own credit cards. The city
had no money because we
had no federal identification
numbers. I had to get all
that.”
The City’s first office was
in the Sunshine Professional
Center. At first Price used a
fax machine in a nearby of-
fice. But “every time I got a
fax it cost me $7,” he said.
“So I went out and bought
my own fax machine for
$49.”
“Right above us was an
employment service, and I
hired some temporary peo-
ple. Everyday it was a differ-
ent person. They did not
understand; it was tough.
After a period of time, I said
to Paul ‘This is all wonderful,
but I got to have some help.’”
They looked for “a Bonitian,
who knew her way around,
and knew people”, and found
Gail Dean.
Today, Dean, one of the
City of Bonita Springs’ first
hires, is likely the first person
a visitor will meet at City
Hall. Stationed at her lobby
desk, she is welcoming to
friends and newcomers alike,
representing the city with
the “small town charm and
the big, bright future.”
“I think I have
made Bonita a
better place to be.”
– Gary Price
Upstairs, in Price’s second
floor office, there are no ob-
vious signs of his coming
retirement. Pending matters
cover the desk; presentation
boards of charts and figures
crowd the corners. His door
is open to everyone, his
schedule is packed and, he
says, “I still get butterflies
when I go to City Council
meetings.”
What will he miss the
most? “Working with staff,
knowing that we are all work-
ing towards the same ends.
I like to see things get built.
Parks. Sidewalks. Bike Paths.
I can drive up and down the
road and can remember the
things that we did.”
Some of it is the result of
nuts and bolts daily work:
sidewalk construction on
Old 41 from Rosemary to
Imperial Harbor, school
warning lights at Bonita El-
ementary, drainage improve-
ment in the Windsor/Mead-
owlark area, Little League
dugouts, road resurfacing of
Bonita’s monopoly streets –
Indiana, Illinois and Ken-
tucky, exotic vegetation re-
moval and scores of other
projects, all catalogued in a
40 page digest of work ac-
complished.
Other projects advance
the vision of Bonita’s future,
including the importance of
parks, recreation and green
space highlighted in a 2005
community attitudes survey:
the acquisition of the ten
acre Pfaff parcel on Kent
Road, now the home of
Bonita Nature Place, 16 acres
on US 41 south of the Im-
perial River – now River
Park, the Marni Fields, and
the city fields developed on
property purchased from the
YMCA.
May 2011
“I like to think that I
brought a lot of my envi-
ronmental experience with
me from Sanibel,” said Price.
The Imperial River “is sort
of an unknown gem. Most
people drive over US 41 and
say ‘that is the Imperial Riv-
er’. It is, but you have to get
upriver, where you see the
otters. Maintaining the road-
side swale system, which a
lot of people don’t like, tends
to put cleaner water in the
Imperial River,” he said.
The reclaimed river,
which in years past “served
as the town dump” is now
part of The Great Calusa
Blueway paddling trail. The
Cullum Hasty-inspired River
Trail walkway will eventually
meander along the river from
Quinn Street in Old Bonita
to the CREW lands east of
Bonita Grande Drive.
If only more citizens had
a better understanding of
their property taxes, they’d
discover that Bonita Springs
receives just 5 percent of the
proceeds, says Price. A pie
chart he prepared shows that
Bonita’s share of the total
property tax proceeds is
dwarfed by the County’s
share (30%), State school
board (34%), local school
board (13%), the Bonita
Springs Fire and Rescue Dis-
trict (12%) and independent
special districts (6%).
“We only get 5% and I
think we are doing a pretty
good job with that,” he said,
noting that since incorpo-
ration Bonitians have paid
almost $12 million less in
property taxes to the city
than they would have if it
had remained an unincor-
porated part of Lee County.
“And they can talk to the
City Council without having
to get in the car and drive
25 miles to Fort Myers,” he
said. “What a deal!”
Price said that he is
“maybe too blunt” at times.
“I have received some criti-
cism over that,” he said. “I
think I have made Bonita a
better place to be. It’s been
a decent living. I don’t know
how it can get much better
than that.”
May 2011 Southwest Spotlight Page 31
 Events, things to do and opportunities to give back to our community in and around Bonita Springs PRSRT STD
Page 32 Southwest Spotlight May 2011 U.S. POSTAGE PAID
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Bonita Springs’ first and only
City Manager, Gary Price,
will leave his post in June.
By Peter R. O’Flinn
prof@swspotlight.com
Bonita Springs – Fresh out
of graduate school in the
early 1970’s, with a master’s
degree in Urban Manage-
ment under his belt, young
Gary Price’s assignment for
Hillsborough County gov-
ernment required a trip to
very rural parts. Authorities
in Tallahassee had decreed
that no place in the state
should be left without zon-
ing, and Price’s job was to
spread the good word.
So, on a mid summer
night, Price, along with his
new assistant and a planner,
drove to the little town of
Wimauma – pronounced
“Why Mama,” located in
southeast Hillsborough
county.
“We had set up a meeting
with all of the good people
11 years later Artist of the
Month 15
Town Talk 9
there to explain what the
wonders of zoning were,”
recalled Price. “It was hot,
dark on the dirt roads, big
oak trees with moss hanging
all the way to the ground,
crickets cricking in the back-
ground.”
“I heard them Gift of music 10
talking about
Staff Photo | info@swspotlight.com
lynching you and I Gary Price became Bonita Springs’ first City Manager in 2000. He will leave
his post in June.
thought it would be
better if I stayed Schwing named new city manager
close to the door”
By Peter R. O’Flinn Eleven years later, after serving under three
prof@swspotlight.com mayors, Price is retiring as leader of a well-
The meeting was held in
an old wooden building, Bonita Springs – When Gary Price became
respected team of employees serving a city
of 45,000 residents spread over 46 square Business Beat 27
where Price and the planner Bonita Springs’ first City Manager in 2000, miles.
addressed the crowd from the brand new city was not much more In late April, after a four-month selection
the front of the room. The
meeting dragged on; the hot
than lines on a map, and an idea. The idea process, city council members selected Carl Millions of
night grew hotter. The
was self-government for those then living
in “the right hand corner pocket of Lee
Schwing, currently assistant City Manager
for Cape Coral, to take Price’s place. meals 23
Continued on page 30 County,” as Mayor Ben Nelson Jr. puts it. Continued on page 18

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