close

GPICA holds first meeting of new year

Adopt a pine seedling effort lauded, board elections, zoning issue discussed

By PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com 2 min read
article image -
At right are GPICA Board President Deborah Swisher-Hicks, left, and GPICA Board Member Chris Blum. PHOTO PROVIDED

The Greater Pine Island Civic Association held its first meeting of the new year Tuesday, Jan. 7, with Board President Deb Swisher-Hicks announcing that 1,000 trees were adopted this year and she asked members if they might be interested in adopting a pine seedling again next year.

“We were hoping to do a separate species because this time we did long-leaf,” Hicks said.

GPICA Board Vice President Nadine Slimak explained that this year’s trees (seedlings) were purchased through the State Division of Forestry, which will only sell trees that are native.

Hicks also made an announcement that four seats are open for this year’s annual board elections, which are a three-year term, from 2025-2028.

“Please consider becoming a board member. Next month we will have our annual elections. If anybody can come to that it would be greatly appreciated,” Hicks said.

Requirements for board election are 6 months of good standing as a member and the agreement to take an active role in board duties.

In order to be considered for nomination, Hicks told members to send an email to info@gpica.org

Added to the agenda was a zoning change request from Ron Gratkowski from commercial to agricultural (AG). Gratkowski was in attendance to answer any questions.

He explained that his property was originally zoned for AG and then he bought it after it had been zoned CG, because the previous owner was going to build a 3-unit office building. He went on to say the current zoning simply does not fit his plans and he’d like to go back to an AG zoning status.

To see or hear this meeting in its entirety, visit the GPICA livestream on its Facebook page.

The next GPICA meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m.. at First Baptist Church of Pine Island, 5363 Avenue D. Bokeelia.