Page 11 The Sun Bay Paper January 5, 2024 FromMillions to Mere Thousands Sunset Photo Contest Photos taken in the highest resolution will look sharper, so they will have a better chance of winning. If you are using your phone, use the highest resolution available! We have received many GREAT pictures that we can not use due to low resolution! Winners will be awarded Bragging Rights, knowing they were selected amongst all the entries sent in, if you didn’t win this week, we will keep your photo on fi le for future consideration or you are welcome to take another! With more entries, chances of winning improve. Simple contest rules: 1) Photo must be taken in Florida 2) Submitted photos can be landscape or protrait and should include: location where the photo was taken from. Please include your full name & phone # in your email. 3) You can only submit photos you yourself have taken and have full rights to, it must be previously unpublished & by submitting any photo, you are giving Sun Bay Paper full rights to publish in print and on the internet. AND PLEASE Do not shrink photos send to: bobby@sunbaypaper.com This week’s photo was sent to us by : Barry Day Taken in Downtown Fort Myers from Calousa Harbour Apartment Building Failure to address these violations would escalate the matter to the town’s Magistrate for a ruling. Persaud risks forfeiting the $500,000 bond included in his settlement agreement in such a scenario. Future Outlook The resolution of Persaud’s protracted disputes with the Town Council not only marks an end to his legal and regulatory battles but also sheds light on broader concerns. Persaud expressed concerns about the dynamics between local businesses and larger entities. He specifi cally mentioned Tom Torgeson and TPI, suggesting a perceived imbalance in the treatment of diff erent developers. Persaud boldly asserted, “Our location on the beach is the best. The Town can’t play favorites. There is a divided loyalty to Tom Turgeson and TPI.” Invoking Margaritaville, Persaud alleged inconsistencies in code enforcement. He charged, “Margaritaville is not ‘up to code,’ but their violations are being ignored.” Is there a double standard in how regulations are applied within Fort Myers Beach, favoring more prominent developers at the expense of smaller ones? Persaud believes so and wants equitable treatment and opportunities for all businesses, regardless of their size or infl uence. In response to Persaud’s claims, attempts were made to contact FMB Mayor DanAllers and representatives of TPI/Margaritaville for further comment. However, as of press time, only Margaritaville /TPI has responded to our inquiry with “no comment.” The fi nal deal has not been inked as of press time. Hopefully, the conclusion of Persaud’s acrimony with FMB offi cials is more than just a settlement of fi nes and compliance issues. The entire town could use this moment to have conversation about the broader context of development, the role of small businesses, and the need for equitable treatment in the face of larger projects, particularly in the aftermath of Ian. As Fort Myers Beach recovers and evolves, balancing different interests and the commitment to fair and transparent governance will be crucial. Richard Luthmann Cont from pg 6
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