Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers The Sun Bay Paper PHONE: (239) 267-4000 MAIL (Correspondence & General Inquiries): 16970 San Carlos Blvd., Ste 160, Fort Myers, Fl 33908 MAIL (Billing & Payments): PO Box 471, Sanborn, NY 14132 E-MAIL: production@sunbaypaper.com WEBSITE & DIGITAL VERSION: http://www.sunbaypaper.com The information contained in this publication is for educational, general information, and entertainment purposes only and is never intended to constitute medical, financial or legal advice or to replace the personalized care of a primary care practitioner, financial or legal expert. Cont from pg 1 Parks, and Recreation. “Little League Baseball and 7-Eleven made significant contributions. We couldn’t have done it without them,” Mayor Allers acknowledged. The vision for the future, a resurgence of beauty and rebirth, was symbolized by the impending rededication of Times Square’s new clock, which, while iconic, would inevitably bear the marks of post-Ian transformation. Yet, Allers viewed this transformation as a necessity, not a calamity. “We’re definitely going to see some change,” he conceded. “It’s not cheap to build with the new building standards. Property values are up after the storm.” Allers confirmed that the Miami-based Corradino Group was guiding the town’s revival plan. Amid their rebuilding commitment, the mayor vowed to maintain an amenable stance while preserving the familial essence of Fort Myers Beach. He cited the cottages on the island's north end as an example, where existing square footage could be reclaimed, but additional construction required a variance. A pragmatist, Allers was mindful that not everyone would find solace in the decisions made but counseled residents to remain proactive during the process. “Be vocal. We have FEMA and State of Florida requirements we must adhere to, but we will be as flexible as we can,” he remarked. The mayor also confirmed that while the focus of the town is on rebuilding, there are certain questions better left to Lee County officials. “We are not in the business of landlord agreements,” he confirmed. Challenges with FEMA loomed large, as many property owners lamented the inescapable grip of mold, a byproduct of prolonged FMB Mayor Dan Allers (l) with Operations and Compliance Director Frankie Kropacek (r) speaks in the Bayside Park at the corner of Old San Carlos Boulevard and First Street. electrical loss rather than Ian’s initial fury. “FEMA rules and regulations limit the types of power generation equipment that can be delivered to barrier islands and sea-level locations,” said Director Kropacek, who confirmed that the current emergency management plan addresses poststorm power restoration and generation abilities. “We saw several private interests bring in machinery without restriction,” Mayor Allers said. An unnamed government procurement specialist suggested that federal authorities could have done more, particularly in emergencies. "Emergency declarations by Governor DeSantis and President Biden should have overridden FEMA rules. I can't help but think that a certain Delaware beach community would have received more federal resources without limitations, resulting in a quicker recovery and increased economic activity if faced with similar challenges," the source noted. Mayor Allers saw promise on the horizon, notably in burgeoning economic activity and development prospects, particularly in the realm of land use applications. With paperwork already in hand from Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina and more applications from Moss Marina and Sea Gate Development Group, among others, hope was on the horizon. When queried about Margaritaville's future, Allers commended their resilience during Ian's onslaught and their commendable partnership with Fort Myers Beach. "Margaritaville bore the brunt of the storm surge and played a crucial role in protecting a significant part of the island from further damage,” he said. The mayor highlighted the excellent working relationship shared by Margaritaville and FMB town officials, and their positive collaboration with the community. Richard Luthmann September 29, 2023 - October 5, 2023 Page 9 The Sun Bay Paper
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