The Santiva Chronicle publishes opinions and letters on topics that are important to Sanibel and Captiva. They may be submitted via e-mail at news@santivachronicle.com.
At the last City Council meeting, I cast a dissenting vote against the city spending money on fireworks this 4th of July. Given that there was a lot of public comment before and at the meeting in favor of fireworks, our citizens need to know the reasoning behind my vote. It was not because I wanted to restrict freedoms, as one commenter implied. It was also not just because fireworks produce environmental pollutants that one commented disputed, or that fireworks produce excessive noise that impacts wildlife, as SCCF pointed out. As I stated at the council meeting, my vote was cast on principle and my attempt to be consistent with the Sanibel Vision. I did not believe the City of Sanibel should spend $20,000 plus staff resources and potentially staff overtime for an event that is not consistent with our stated vision, specifically “living in harmony with nature.” And for those who want fireworks, there will be many others displays in the area over the 4th of July.
The Sanibel Vision statement is displayed at MacKenzie Hall for all to see and is placed there to guide us as we make decisions impacting our sanctuary island. Given our international reputation and national popularity, the Sanibel Vision has served us well. Our uniqueness and attractiveness should only increase if we remain consistent with that vision. One of the goals developed in the Strategic Planning session held in March is around environmental stewardship and leading in environmental stewardship to restore, preserve, and enhance our island sanctuary…” In my view leading means “walking the talk.”
I support the reasoning and decision of my fellow City Council Members. As citizens of Sanibel, I hope we will continue to have a thoughtful dialogue on all issues impacting our community.
Thank you for allowing me to serve on your City Council.
John Henshaw
The Sanibel vision is not black and white. It also requires. Sanibel is a Sanctuary Island that for 55 years let red tide dead fish decompose naturally on the beach. Abusive Code enforcement officer Terry Zimmerman 4 months after trimming my 30 year old 85 feet long Buttonwood Hedge 25% mails me a summons violation notice saying I illegally cut down 16 buttonwood trees and I have 2 weeks to plant 48 buttonwood trees 7’ to 8’ tall with an irrigation system in 2 weeks. An impossible task. I call contractor and say this is crazy. Resolve it. Zimmerman never returns his calls. I get on bicycle to go see Judy
Mamora. She is not there. Mamora’s very nice Secretary takes written statement from me stating Zimmerman fabricated a very fraudulent fabricated violation, never rang my doorbell and should be fired.
I also said by the way the sanctuary dead red tide fish should be immediately picked up and removed from the beach as there decaying are hangrands poisoning and making residents and tourists SICK. In 2018 red tide title wave a picture of millions of dead fish on Sanibel Beach went around the world on the Internet undoing tens of millions of tourism advertising dollars oNo one contacts me for a month. I then get a phone call to meet with Mamora. I meet for an hour with hand 3 others. They listen to me repeat content of Mamora’s Secretary’s memo about me. They listen. They never get back to me. I guess they voided the summons. A year later Sanibel passed resolution that all dead red tide fish will immediately be picked up on half mile if Sanibel owned beaches. Private beach front property owners should pick up dead fish in front of their houses. Mr friend born and raised in Florida tells me I am being recognized in silence. Not an issue for me. However, my (our) tax money should be used to pick up all 10 miles of the dead red tide fish on Sanibel ASAP. That’s common sense and protects our Sanctuary Island.
Well said. Thank you.
Many thanks to Council member John Henshaw for reminding us what makes Sanibel so special. I totally agree with his decision to vote against fireworks on Sanibel.
John Ryan
Thank you for you thoughtful stand. We will face many more important decisions, since the make-up of our population is changing. I listened to the audio of your comments in real time and was impressed with you research, as well as your comments about the Sanibel Plan. Keep,up,the good work.
I believe in “walking the talk” the talk. In today contention environment so many want to avoid walking the talk. Congratulation to John Henshaw for doing so in regards to his vote against Sanibel having fireworks.
Thank you for your vote and trying to keep Sanibel Sanibel.