If the council wants to help the eagles, stop the building on land that is vacant. Maybe there will be an eagle nest on it in the future. If it is paved over there won't be. You can't vote to allow building with one hand, and try to save one nest with the other, and say you are helping the wildlife.

Rockford. This issue wasn't about treehuggers or if people liked eagles, gophers turtles or trees, however they are the reason so many people originally invested and moved here.

Bonita Springs will never be what it was but it would be nice to preserve those things of which we have been most proud and have been privileged to enjoy.

Martha,

Kindly send back my check/donation.

Martha, did you take money from people who were under the impression they were helping the eagles, and now you are admitting it had nothing to do with eagles, turtles or trees. What were you taking the money for?

Each and every environmentalist, or for that matter, doctor, lawyer, dentist, auto mechanic, etc....lives on land that was once inhabited by eagles, blue indigo's and fox squirrels and subsequently impacted for development to create their own home. Simple fact of life here in SW Fla folks.

It isn't a matter of whether developer's like Bonita Bay prefer eagles over palmettos or not, it's a simple matter of consumer demand. Just because old environmentalists were here before newspapers reported such impacts doesn't make it any less of an impact.

Folks want to move here, that makes our area viable and healthy. Stop development and you have what you have now, dead economy and no taxes for public services.

The key is "smart" growth, not no growth. If only the two sides could each see the big picture and stop the sniping.

Fathead, being an auto mechanic and environmentalist who lives on flora/fauna inhabited land, I tend to disagree with you. While I do not have the privilige of sharing the land I live WITH, not ON with an eagle, I do in fact have a hawk's nest nearby. I certainly could clear the land near the nest but I chose not to out of respect for the hawk and would not like it to be pushed away. Respect. That is something which is not very popular in this day and age either toward animals or humans. All that seems to matter anymore is money. Sometimes I think the motto on the dollar bill is misspelled. Perhaps it should have been " In Gold We Trust." Consumer demand for real estate in this area, if you have not noticed, is at an all time low and for the most part many people are moving away from here rather than staying. If I am wrong, how would you describe the economy? Just look around and you will be astonished by all the signs reading " FOR SALE, FOR LEASE, FOR RENT". Empty homes and buildings and unfinished projects relate that there is more supplied than in demand. Martha and Janet, at least you tried. I give you that. Reality, perhaps but there is something about a city council that just a few weeks ago was standing tall and taking a stand for what they truly believed in and now accepts defeat before the battle even began. I thought you had pride and courage. Good luck in the future without the ability or aparently the desire to make your own decisions.

I applaud your efforts to protect any species, endangered or not. I too have an osprey nest and would put up more but the neighbors have said no way. I certainly meant no disrespect with the auto-mechanic rip, I respect that profession immensely given my passion for Camaro classics.

Our housing slump will end my friend, it may not ever be as hectic as it once was but rest assured, the lure and beauty of this place will continue to draw multitudes for many years to come and they will need housing. That fact alone dictates future impacts to our sensitive environment and it will be smart growth that determines how little the impacts are to our lands, not no growth rhetoric. Both sides to this issue could use a lesson in respect and compassion for the other's position however, but not likely to happen soon.

Of course in my grandson's lifetime the coastline will most likely be somewhere near Highlands County (again) and all of this may not matter.

Thank-you City Council for your sane, lucid and rational decision!
In the 15 years that I've lived here I've yet to meet one person who chose Bonita for its Gopher Turtles and Eagles.
Those who crave a rural setting tend to settle on 5 acres in the boondocks of Golden Gate and further out.
The beach and the conveniences of modern urban living are our main draw, and the "urban" will only grow in appeal as driving falls out of favor due to fuel prices and aging population.

I have a dream! Where the rich become richer, money finds a home in a wealthy pocket somewhere.

You want to see wildlife? Creatures great and small. Simply go to the zoo or museum or internet to see all the extinct species that once roamed free in our backyards.
If it means even a dollar of profit in someones' pocket. Make it so!
I have a dream! Concrete as far as the eye can see! Small pools of well manicured trees and lawns well within that sea of asphalt and steel. Total anniliation of the wild vegetation. Nothing to falsely lead you to think there is anything wild about our lives or our homes here in the Everglades.
They want to build, let them build what they so desperately desire. I have a dream! We can be the new Miami, the new New York, or New Jersey, promise!
We can be better, bigger and more profitable!
Money will grow on the imaginary trees that used to grow free here. Docile pidgeon dung will flow as free as the air pollution that waifs from a developers SUV tail pipe. Fences will shield us from the wild world or rather the wild from us!
We shall live as the dominant species and squash anything we deem neccessary for what we feel is the greater good. More roads, more buildings, more structures, more,more, MORE!
You can never have enough. I have a dream that ever square inch of SW Florida will be complete with shopping mall, convienence store or golf course as nature should have truly intended it.
It will be a tough road! But we will conquer, we will not fail, we will not falter, we will not be overwhelmed by this task of monumentous proportions!

I have a dream that I cut down the LAST tree, pave the last mile of pavement.Hammer the LAST nail in a condo and the LAST duplexe, the very LAST home! All for the people in this paradise!!!!

itto to what Eco said in #9.
No one seems to gives 2 sh**s anymore.

Sigh, aren't those things we are replacing,destroying, and driving away part of what makes this paradise a paradise?
And why we came here....

Fathead it seems that you and I are on opposite sides of the fence on yet another issue. You and I are engaged in one of the oldest running battles known in the auto industry. I happen to be passionate about my classic Mustangs....:) Ahh, the tradition of Ford vs. Chevy. Perhaps we will meet someday at a car show, at a traffic light or someplace where the old machines really shine. Be well and safe.

Where were most of you nature boyz (& girlz) last month? When Sisters' Simons and Martin caved on 3 parcels along BB Rd ment for more strip malls.
How can Crist or anyone else believe Bonita is serious about presevation, when Bonita lowered its standard the day after incorporation?

Not one of the so called defender of the environment groups said a word. Going Green means cashing BB's check.

Perhaps the contributions could go towards a toupee for the eagle?

""""""In the 15 years that I've lived here I've yet to meet one person who chose Bonita for its Gopher Turtles and Eagles.""""""""
where do you want to meet for coffee,Tango ? in 1958 when we first came here from Miami, this was ,,Paradise,,and yes,we Did stay for all the reasons that you and a handfull of rich and infamous,lovers of concrete, steel,and pavement,as so much against,,,id rather go to a museum to see what the last human looked like,,,
i actually commended the city council on its wisdom,and strength of character,for taking a dual stand,,one for the Eagle,and the other for themselves,and "home rule",,i wonder how long it will be ,before BB wants them to do something else thats not in the best interests of Bonita ?,,or thats in Their best interests and will again toss some change around,to be sure it gets done,under threat of their God O'Mighty Governor and drawers,,,errr cabinets ,,,,,
i personally saw a Panther< or maybe a Cougar/mix> just three miles East on East Terry < from Bonita Grande>,,,about 4 years ago,,,and thats with people living there that knew How to live With Nature,,,its highly doubtful that i will ever see another,in the natural state of its habitat,,,,,,, That is part of the shame i feel ,about where this place is headed,, this town will be a Dump in another 10 years,if the powers that be,dont exercise whats left of their honor and promises to the residents,and Not the other promises they made under the table with the developers,,,,,,Snow birds are Not part of nature!!,,,

Biff,
Please call me at 200-1583.

Doc, the principle on which we might have defended as a government may have been on infringement of our local decision making authority. Council's reasoning was not considered from the beginning of the administative hearing process. Who doesn't like eagles?

Bonita Springs1
I would be proud to have someone like Janet Martin as my sister. She listens and works very hard for the residents in her district. She does her homework when making tough decisions for the city.
East of 1-75? Smart growth was mentioned here. I and others on council have pushed to make the projects at the interchange as green friendly and resident friendly as much as we legally can at this time. We approved only when the owners agreed to the trip cap recommended by our transportation expert. Would I have preferred to have saved a cypress dome? You bet. I tried. Instead, the Kehl canal will be restored to a natural state. A kayak launch will be built and public access given. Very very wide vegetative buffers will be preserved way beyond what was legally required. Setbacks were signficantly expanded. Easements for the Bonita River trail has been extended all the way along the south side of the river from Bonita Grande to just east of I-75 at no cost to the city. Would I like to have the city ordered to pay more than $20 million in compensatory damages? No. You would never let me here the end of how we ruined our city finances. It would not have been responsible. I know you wouldn't want that Ron.

Hey docwatson, where the heck do you think your home was built......ON VACANT LAND!

Oops
>> You would never let me here the end of how we ruined our city finances.<<<

You would never let me > hear< the end of how we ruined our city finances.

Well, you know what I meant.

I hope everybody stays safe and dry. Here comes Fay again.

Not interested in meeting you Bullbat, morever it appears the time has come for you to flee again to some wild and undeveloped areas of North Carolina where you can thrive amongst your beloved wild animals.
We prefer the company of fellow humans.
Recently I was watching a documentary on how bird flu originates in rural China where humans share their living accomodations with their animals.(Chickens, goats, pigs etc.)
Sounds right up your alley Tarzan, coincidentally Expedia.com is running a special on airfare to China!

Ms Simons,
When you inject the caveat "at this time", the balance of your BS fell down the shaft of hollow promises. You've been around for years and on council, pushing 3 years.
Where, 0h, where have you and the stable mates been each time an add on or new plan changed the future of Bonita's landscape? Reply at your own risk.

Huger, you don't need a majority vote from city council to build a single family home.

naplestango,,,,i was trying to be nice,but i see thats not possible with the likes of you,and yes compared to an rear like you,,you just bet i perfer natural wildlife,,,as for that special on China, you should take it yourself,because This place will be as packed as they are,one day,and you must really like that lifestyle so get used to it over there,,if you watched that documentary like you say you did, it sounds like the Humans gave the animals that flu,seeing they are now spreading it,and they didnt have it before,,,, ,its azzes like you that we left Miami in the first place,mostly so we wouldnt have to be around ones that think they know,and speak for everyone around them,Jane,and i dont Need to be crowded around by folks,to feel good about myself,who i am and what i do,,im just real glad that most people Arent like you,or we'd be living in a desert now,,,so,Jane ,and i mean this as Polietly as i Can,,, pack sand up your forth point of contact,,,,,,

One thing for sure...we're allowing the pigs in the community to get fatter. Shame on the folks that support fattening the pigs and not caring about our/their surroundings. IN fact they appear more interested in 'having fun' with postings on this site then recognizing one of the reasons most of us moved here...the surroundings.

BonitaSprings1: Councilwoman Simons is correct in that the City Council's authority is limited by private property rights, a fact that was driven home by Governor Crist.
The Council's role is to provide a guiding hand that reflects the wishes of the Citizenry who elected them.
It's a tough job as they can rarely make everyone happy.
I admire their dedication and applaud their fortitude, and as they ask at the begining of each meeting: May God provide them the wisdom to govern without yielding to the temptation of power!

The fact driven home by Crist is law and circumstance evolved/change.
City has plan, overlays, zoning, regulations, fees, enforcers it goes on and on. Bonita IS just another town on coast in SWFLA. Lions share of City Council and city administration have set bar at same level as the rest.
These folks either have wisdom, AND the Will, or they don't. So far, prayer hasn't helped.

Naplestango, pardon my interruption but I could not help but take notice of your statement regarding people living around animals vs. people living around people. Granted, bird flu is a dangerous and contageous affliction to society but so is robbery, burglary, car jacking, murder, assault, abuse, theft, harrassment, road rage, poverty, homelessness, drug addiction, child molestation, etc. None of these problems that I know of have ever been caused by animals, at least of the four legged variety. Not to turn my back on my fellow man but in light of the problems caused by animals vs. problems caused by people, I would rather reside in an area inhabited by indigenous fauna. My residence is semi isolated and I prefer to keep it that way. This normal for me. It was the way I was raised. The few neighbors near me share a mutual respect for each other as well as the environment. It would be impossible for me to live "next door" to another person in a housing developement which is very much akin to a concentration camp per se. So in conclusion, just imagine how life will be in this city in say,ten years fromm now and ask yourself then, "is this really what I wanted"? Time will tell but I fear it will be very much like Miami or perhaps another place where overpopulation, crime, disease and polution reign supreme. Before you tell me, "Bonita,love it or leave it" Forget it. All I am waiting for is to sell my properties here and relocate to a less populated area. Be Wild, Be Free!

Good Rant Raven and Godspeed!
The market will come back sooner than most think.
Obviously this area is changing, and attempts to retain the past indicates an inability to change with the times, or to acknowledge that we are aging and that the world as we loved it is no longer.

Bullbat: Aye kant taque zero-slee people hoo never poot in the effert to lern how to zpell de English Language...Adios Amigo,

naplestango,,,,, whatever you are trying to say, is a true representation of You ,, a real loser,,,,i see that you cant take pressure and you revert to your native language,,thats cool,, but, please, until you can talk American English,dont refer to me as your friend,,thats an insult, and kinda embarassing to see you try to say something that you dont have a clue ,as what you are mumbling about,,,its because of a loser like you, that i ,actually hope you are right,about the market coming back sooner than we think,, it just means that ill be away from a dribbling,blithering idiot as yourself that much sooner ,one more thing ole boy, id sure like it ,if you would simply stop trying to argue,its not very becoming,,,so,now,goodbye,,lol,and have a nice day,,,,:-)

C'mon Tarzan
You promised that you'd cut back on the palm wine!
What happened?

well,ya see Jane,,its actually called Mead,,,and i Will cut back provided that you cut back on that City Candy,<white powder stuff>

It amazes me that BS1 lives in Pelican Landing (based on the comments you would assume he lives in a tent on a naturally open field, living off the land). I guess Pelican Landing had no environmental impact and was a miraculous appearance placed by the Almighty himself.

Mead is made from honey.

yep,,,

back to the subject at hand,,,,, the way this has played out,, the next time the City Council wants to make an enviromental decision, all they have to do is ask permission of BB,,,and abide by what they tell them to do,,,,