by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Sanibel City Council heard a brief Hurricane Recovery Financial Update at its July 15, 2025, meeting.
Hurricane Charley in 2004 cost $10 million, which amounts to $18 million today. Hurricane Ian in 2023 cost $250 million; $120 million of that was for debris collection.
“We have the opportunity to make a big impact on that,” said Council member Richard Johnson. Council member John Henshaw added, “Don’t put junk on your lower level!”
Johnson pointed out that the real estate community is on the front line, to educate home buyers about the issues of living on a barrier island.
City Manager Dana Souza reminded everyone that “debris in front of my property may not be from my property.” He emphasized that the lower level is designated for storage only, as per the building code and flood ordinance.
Insulting comment by Richard Johnson.AS A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING BODY HE SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO MAKE SUCH AN IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENT. MY home is five steps(FEET) ELEVATED . There is no lower level. Plus even those with lower levels who used them for storage were not putting junk at the curb,, The material we had to discard I can assure your was NOT JUNK!.. EVERYTHING in our HOME three feet up from the floor(INCLUDING THE FLOOR) was discarded and PLACED AT THE CURB…as was everything in our garage. family heirlooms.. IRREPLACEABLE family photos..expensive furniture.. antique furniture,,.flooring.. ALL appliances.. clothing..bedding…paintings.. . collector auto… golf cart. and clubs…all christmas items collected over 50 plus years..tools..food.. over 300 books. AND BOOK CASES…non-replaceable political and broadway collections..pool equipment.. Gas grill..debris from structural damage..steps..siding soffits..landscaping..trees..pool cage screens , doors and bracing.. over 1000 individual items verified by photos and claimed on insurance.(not completely compensated for) .ETC ETC..I’M SURE THIS LIST WAS SIMILAR TO MOST ON SANIBEL WHO PUT THEIR LIFE ‘S BELONGINGS OUT AT THE CURB..NOT JUNK.. NOT JUNK BY A LONG SHOT..INSENSITIVE AND CAVALIER COMMENT..
Shame on you
The council member I want to reference was NOTRichard Johnson but rather John Henshaw please correct by previous comment accordingly
thank you