MCA talks water sampling, Chiquita Lock
The Matlacha Civic Association discussed a number of items at its monthly meeting on Oct. 20 at the Arts Building in Matlacha Park.
It was reported at the meeting that Casey Streeter of Island Seafood Market is currently working with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to gather water samples in an effort to determine issues in local waters, such as Matlacha Pass.
Mike Hannon reported, “Regarding Casey Streeter, we’re looking for $15K for troll buoys to do the water testing. Initial testing shows the bad water in the pass at the end of the summer was due to nitrogen from Cape Coral North Spreader.”
At this time, NOAA has not said whether or not it would contribute.
MCA Board President Stephen Longest proposed a challenge involving the Chiquita Lock, which Cape Coral has now re-filed to remove.
“One of the ideas I pitched at our last board meeting is something I’d like to see us get together and do is what I call the Chiquita Lock Polar Plunge. The city of Cape Coral is hell-bent on removing that lock and dumping that water into our ecosystem. I would love to see the mayor and city councilmen jump in that water and show us just how clean it is,” Longest said.
It was decided there will be a holiday decoration contest among the homes of Matlacha, and Greater Pine Island, orchestrated by the Luminaries, in their annual quest to “Light up Matlacha,” beginning with the Christmas Tree lighting. Due to the size of the undertaking of this project, help is welcomed and needed. More information on the event, including the date and location of the tree lighting, will be discussed at the November meeting.
Nominations for board members will be held at the Nov. 17 meeting during a pot-luck dinner and elections will be announced at the December meeting.
The current Board of Directors are Stephen Longest (president), Janette Fraissinet, Kimberly Harris Edgerton (treasurer), Ellen Alford, Jim Young and Leo Amos.