By SHERRI CONER sconer@breezenewspapers.com As he greeted more than 60 members of the Greater Pine Island Civic association, Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass removed his suit coat. “Next time I come, I’ll be happy to wear my shorts and boat shoes
As he greeted more than 60 members of the Greater Pine Island Civic association, Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass removed his suit coat.
“Next time I come, I’ll be happy to wear my shorts and boat shoes,” he said.
For this last meeting of the year, Pine Island residents crowded into the Elks Club. Pendergrass praised residents for showing up for the meeting.
“That means that, one, you care about your community or two, there’s a problem,”said Pendergrass, who served as a police officer before being voted in last year as a Lee County Commissioner for District 2.
For those who hadn’t yet heard, Pendergrass passed along the news that Hertz Global Holdings chose 34 acres of land in Estero as the location of their new headquarters.
Relocating from Park Ridge, N.J., the company has the option to purchase the land where it will soon break ground for a 300,000-square-foot building. Once this $50 million headquarters is completed. the Tuscan-style structure will house car rental and sales. At least 700 jobs, paying an average of $100,000 a year, also accompany the project.
“Their business will help keep our taxes down,” Pendergrass said of the news about Hertz coming to Lee County.
Concerns were voiced regarding possible personal watercraft rentals being allowed in the areas of Punta Rassa, for fear that such boating enthusiasts would venture toward Pine Island.
Pendergrass said more detailed information was required before the topic could be decided one way or another. But he said he understood resident concerns that a personal watercraft presence would likely endanger wildlife in the more shallow waters around Pine Island.
Concerns were raised regarding alcohol use on the Matlacha Bridge, including second-hand information about a physical confrontation between fishermen who appeared to be under the influence. When Pendergrass asked if anyone had reported these issues to the Lee County sheriff’s department, the answer was no, that no one had reported these problems.
“The sheriff’s department cant help you if they don’t know what’s going on,”Pendergrass said.”Give them a call.”
An architect representing the Baptist Church of St. James City presented a proposal on behalf of the church, requesting permission to construct a picnic pavilion on the south side of the church, located on its property. The vote was 20-12, in favor of the construction of the pavilion.