A meeting of the Corkscrew Island Neighborhood Association took place at the Corkscrew Sanctuary on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Fourteen people attended. President Bill McDaniel opened the meeting at at 7:10 pm with the pledge of allegiance.
Minutes of October 2012 Meeting The minutes of the October 2012 meeting was read and approved with no amendments. There was no meeting in December, it was replaced by a Christmas party at President Bill's cabin in the woods.
Motion: a motion was made that the October 15, 2012 minutes be approved with no corrections or amendments. It was seconded and passed unanimously.
Old Business
Recruiting new members Secretary Doug Wilson suggested that we spend a little money in reaching out to recruit new members. We had discussed this before. After a short discussion it was agreed that this should be done. A motion was made:
Motion: That Doug Wilson be permitted to spend postage to reach out in an effort to recruit new members into CINA. It was seconded and approved unanimously.
CINA website is down Doug Wilson reported that CINA’s website is down and apologized for it, saying it was his fault. He promised to check with Godaddy and resolve the issue.
New Business
Oil drilling in the neighborhood Bill McDaniel opened up the issue of drilling in the neighborhood which turned into a lengthy discussion. He received a message that the Hughes Oil Company is working feverishly on the project and will send a report to Bill to pass on to CINA members. It was suggested that a representative of Hughes will come to the April meeting to explain more. Discussion covered fracking, which is going on but it is very low down, and one of the world’s largest oil supplies is under us, larger than under Egypt, and it’s sweet oil. None of us own mineral rights to our property since Collier kept all mineral rights from Wilson Boulevard east. They want property owners to sign a 20-year lease, giving them the right to put an oil rig on your land. Those rigs are good for a mile out in either direction. Further discussion about where the rigs are located, they are not publicizing what they're doing but not hiding it either, as in some places. Forty years ago Time magazine reported that Arm & Hammer in San Diego built false skyscrapers to hide oil rigs inside. Bill said that Hughes' permitting has been done properly. Robbie suggested that we test our water now for minerals and gas content, in case there is an issue later. Testing a central resident’s well now will enable us to say, two years from now, “This is what our water was then and this is what it is now.“ It will give us a base line for a recourse if we went to court. Doug suggested asking the County if they will do it. The water content is changing even now, there is more iron in it today than 10 years ago. Bill reported they are punching five test wells right now. There are little wells now running. It’s not called Oil Well Road for nothing! He knows three locations, one is going in east of Golden Gate Estates. There is a huge reservoir of sweet crude oil beneath us.
Special Projects Report Grace Radi, chair person for the Special Projects Committee, reported the Committee, composed of herself, Maureen Bonness and Doug Wilson, had met to decide the best way to use CINA funds. They considered each of the following projects that were suggested by CINA members:
A. donation to the fire department B. donation to Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts/4-H/Little League (or similar) C. sponsor for event at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary D. scholarship (recurring?) E. benches for school bus stops F. buy herbicide for neighbors to use for control of exotic/invasive woody plants
We agreed to a $500 limit to a project. We thought the scholarship was the best idea, if members approve. Gracie’s concern is we’re not flush with money. $2700 is not a lot. It has taken us ten years to build up to to that. A discussion took place. Bill suggested that we limit each project to $500 so the scholarship is not expected on an ongoing basis. A motion was made in support of that:
Motion A motion was made that CINA create a scholarship program, to be limited to $500 per project, and the committee to work out the details. The motion was seconded and approved.
Discussion continued. It was suggested that a scholarship would create work for us. Who is going to do the work? Scholarship to what? What school or 4H? Many questions were asked. Other suggestions were raised as a way to contribute to the neighborhood, like benches for school bus stops and CAT bus stops, but that would require more expense that $500 because permits would be required, since there are strict requirements requiring a concrete base and a roof. And where would you put them? We could ask the School Board to chip in. The discussion came back to scholarships with more ideas offered: it should be for merit where a student does something good, middle class jobs are falling through and it would not be difficult for a kid to get online training for a good job. A scholarship would help someone like that, whether the student should be able to decide what school he wanted to attend. Our committee can discuss this more. It was suggested that we vote to do it for one year and then vote again next year.
Motion: To approve contributing $500 to a college scholarship fund to go to a student who lives in our neighborhood for further education, and to be for this year only.
Doug & Bill volunteered to lead the scholarship committee.
Mailing address for CINA corporation The question was asked whether we have a mailing address for the CINA corporation? Yes, it is Secretary Doug Wilson’s address: 616 Sanctuary Road is the official address for the corporation, but Bill McDaniel’s address can be used, too.
Feral Cats Robbie Wooster brought up the subject of feral cats, reporting that there are some down near Bob Evans near I-75. The question of what to do about them has been a lingering question. The Connors said they had 6 or 8 puppies that were just born, but they would take them to the church to give away. On February 19 Michele Antonia sent an email about feral cats to Secretary Doug Wilson, which he in turn relayed to CINA members. Michele reported, “In your paragraph in the October minutes about pythons, you mention feral cats. It is illegal to shoot them. If someone is having a concern with cats, he/she is welcome to call me. I have Animal Compassion Project, Inc., a 501C3 non profit for animal rescue, particularly feral cats. The Humane Society will not take stray dogs or stray cats or feral cats. The HS only accepts owner-surrendered animals. Other animals must go to the county's Domestic Animal Services. Feral cats are killed. Chances are that stray dogs and cats will be killed also. Please let everyone know that I will help with feral cats." This is from Michele Antonia, Animal Compassion Project, Inc., Advocates for TNR and alternatives to euthanasia, Sanctuary for unadoptable cats.
Crime in the Neighborhood Robbie Wooster reported a break-in at her home a week ago Thursday. She found her bedroom door open when she returned home. She did not find anything missing and did not see anyone. Bill McDaniel reported that Big Island was broken into twice, stealing gas and whatever they could pick up. He reported that Diamond Security Service in Ft. Myers is a mom and pop outfit whose service costs $400 a year. Tel 768-1799. Address: 13850 Treeline Ave S., Fort Myers, FL. They can provide glass break alarm, motion sensor, window/door, fire sensor, panic button. Once installed you can upgrade and bring your insurance down.
Motion: A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 pm. It was seconded and passed unanimously.