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Donations flying in to continue Bonita eagles’ nest fight
Bald eagle
Florida is lucky to host a sizeable population of the once endangered national symbol. This massive raptor stands out with its 6 ½ -foot wingspan, car-sized nests and distinctive white head and tail, features that take about four years to develop. Reliant upon clean water, bald eagles feed largely on fish and water birds.
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BONITA SPRINGS — Supporters of a larger eagle protection zone in Bonita Bay have quickly raised $10,640 since the Bonita Springs City Council decided not to continue its battle with a developer.
Whether the $10,640 is too much or too little, it’s too late.
Even though the donations would cover the cost of the appeal, the City Council made its final decision in a 5-2 vote, and no one else can pick up the cause without the council.
“That certainly is impressive, raising that amount of money in a short amount of time, but I don’t think that is the way we should do business,” Councilman John Spear said. “We shouldn’t get in the habit of being bought and paid for by either business interests or environmental interests that throw money at us.”
The fight is over the Bonita Bay Group’s right to reduce the protection zone around the bald eagle nest on its property from 1,000 feet to 330 feet in order to build a development of 15 homes.
In June 2007, the City Council rejected the developer’s request, but Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and his Cabinet — in their role as the Florida Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission — upheld Bonita Bay’s appeal in July.
The City Council decided not to appeal Crist’s decision, feeling the more than $100,000 already spent in legal fees was enough.
“To say that $100,000 is too much to protect these eagles in Bonita Bay is being shortsighted,” said Bonita Bay resident Richard Oggero, who gave $1,000 to continue to appeal.
The nest is 32 years old, making it the oldest recorded nest in Florida, and has hosted at least two mating pairs in its lifetime.
“They are a constant part of life here,” Oggero said. “Anyone on this piece of Bonita Bay has seen them. The back of the property sees more than the front.”
The Responsible Growth Management Coalition Inc., based in Fort Myers, donated $1,000 toward the appeal and was considering taking up the cause on its own.
However, it would need the City Council to file the appeal first and then it could join in the fight since the organization had not been part of the legal battle previously.
“Since we didn’t intervene when it went before (Crist), we can’t take up the case unless the City Council does,” said Nora Demers, secretary of the coalition. “It looks like we are not able to, which is unfortunate.”
Since the City Council made the decision not to proceed any further on Aug. 20, the issue is dead unless the council changes its mind. That is not likely, and the city government is already in the process of figuring out what to do with the $10,640.
“Obviously, the money needs to be either returned or taken care of in some way,” City Attorney Audrey Vance said.
The individual donors will be asked whether they want the money returned or used for some other purpose.
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Like Nike says
"JUST DO IT"
Save our Eagles!
#1 Posted by Biff on August 30, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Since the City Council made the decision not to proceed any further on Aug. 20, the issue is dead unless the council changes its mind. That is not likely, and the city government is already in the process of figuring out what to do with the $10,640."
What about it CITY COUNCIL? Are you going to continually be pushed around like the proverbial "red headed step-child" of Florida when it comes to the ability of making your own decisions regarding Bonita Springs? It's still your move to stand up for the city. It should be more a matter of pride and integrity. Money can be recovered but not the way you represent yourselves to others. What of the residents of Bonita Bay? What have they to say on this or does the Bonita Bay Group own them?
#2 Posted by ravenhawk on August 30, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Take $4000 of that money, and add it to the $1000 dollar reward money, for finding the monster that murdered Tia Marie Poklemba. Good idea, huh? Watch how fast he will get turned in then.
#3 Posted by rayroman on August 30, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Biff, Raven & Ray:
Y'all need to make some reservations at Disneyland...Maybe by that time Obama will be there organizing the workers.
#4 Posted by Naplestango on August 30, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry folks, Bonita Bay has donated more the $10,640 to the so called defenders of the environment. Not only have they not said a word, but my guess is they will provide the chain and bar oil.
#5 Posted by swampbuggy on August 30, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
“That certainly is impressive, raising that amount of money in a short amount of time, but I don’t think that is the way we should do business,” Councilman John Spear said. “We shouldn’t get in the habit of being bought and paid for by either business interests or environmental interests that throw money at us.”
now thats funny,,, seeing as it was the council or a member of the council that requested money be to ,,,be thrown at them,,, its requested,and the residents respond,Including residents from BB and the city council backs away, gives up, drops the ball,and all the other ways of saying,,You screwed up Council members, the least you can do is clean up your own mess,and finish the fight, Obviously Bonita SPRINGS is behind you against Bonita Bay,,i guess You have to decide which is more important,,, the City or the bay?and Remember exactly what John Spear said ""“We shouldn’t get in the habit of being bought and paid for by either business interests or environmental interests that throw money at us.” unless it was to late even before you decided to ,,,Quit,,,
#6 Posted by Bullbat on August 30, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why Naplestango, what a wonderfull idea! I have not been to Disneyland in years. Let's see here, I have a vacation coming up in February and by that time ( hopefully ) Obama will be at the helm of this country and get it back on course. The last eight years we have gotten off course by "staying the course". Thanks for the good advice on where to vacation and who to vote for.:).
#7 Posted by ravenhawk on August 30, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you think Bush is doing such a great job.
I guess John Mc cain will do just as good or better.
Ponder that one my friend...
#8 Posted by Biff on August 30, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
who thinks buch is/has done such a great job the last eight years?????,,what a Joke,,,
#9 Posted by Bullbat on August 30, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Read it again dummy
My point exactly.
mc cain will be worse.
Get it.
Duh!
#10 Posted by Biff on August 31, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
who is the dummy??,,, this is about saving the Eagle and keeping local government,in charge of its own,,,,, whats bush etc got to do with this?? get it?
#11 Posted by Bullbat on August 31, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One Eagle in hand is better than two in the bush.
#12 Posted by Naplestango on August 31, 2008 at 4:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
City council should take the money and sue lee county over the deplorable conditions they allow to fester in the flooded trailer parks. It makes me sick to think they care more about one eagle, then they do about hundreds of people at jeopardy because they are forced to live in a ghetto. I wish they would take away all the decision making ability from this bunch.
#13 Posted by docwatson on August 31, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Doc, as far as I know no one is "forced" to live there. They all work, make money and have free choice of where they choose to live.
#14 Posted by ravenhawk on August 31, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Free choice! You don't really believe that do you Hawk?
#15 Posted by docwatson on August 31, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Free choice! You don't really believe that do you Hawk?" Nah, you must be right Doc. They are really indentured slaves who will always be living in poverty for the rest of their lives and have no chance whatsoever of residing anywhere else. If they do happen to escape and try to live elsewhere the RV park owners will go after them and "force" them to come back. Is that answer more to your liking? Blessings and be well.
#16 Posted by ravenhawk on August 31, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lets wait and see how many new trucks/cars/suv's are parked there,,,as ive said before, thats what most of them do with the federal money they get,and ya know something?, the trailers are seldom even Theirs,,yet they get the $$$$,,,that being the case, im thinking their free choice is to blow the fed $$$$ on vehicles instead of a place to live,,,
#17 Posted by Bullbat on August 31, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amazing how Americans can let their national bird come second to GREED! Guess RULE THE WORLD is not beyond your thinking either. Good Luck!
#18 Posted by theabyss on August 31, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Swamp4, where would the culverts under 75 restore natural flow? Through the Brooks, a Bonita Bay development. I hope that clears that up.
#19 Posted by swampbuggy on August 31, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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